Israeli violations targeted 38 Palestinian journalists, photographers, and artists across the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army also carried out further attacks on media crews near the Lebanese border, alongside other violations including summonses, incitement campaigns, and lawsuits. Abductions by unidentified individuals continued in Syria, while various restrictions were imposed in Jordan.

Below is a summary of the violations monitored by the Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Jordan.

Lebanon

The Israeli army opened fire at members of the Al-Araby TV crew comprised of correspondent Ramez Al-Qadi and videographer Samer Nasser (02/18), and fired bullets and stun grenades at several journalists: Al-Akhbar correspondent Amal Khalil (02/16 and 02/26), freelance journalist Mohammad Zanaty (02/16), and Al-Mayadeen correspondent Jamal Al-Gharbi (02/26).

The Anti-Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Bureau summoned Daraj co-founder and editor-in-chief Hazem Al-Amin and journalist Jana Barakat following a report on banker Antoun Sehnaoui. Both refused to appear (02/11). Similarly, Beirut Time journalist Fatat Ayad was summoned over an investigative report concerning the mayor of Dar Baashtar and also declined to attend (02/24).

Journalist Dima Sadek was subjected to a smear campaign over her anti-Hezbollah positions (02/20). The Faraya municipality filed a complaint against Al-Khabar website and its editor-in-chief Yvonne Saaiby following an investigative report on a local murder (02/11).

The Publications Court postponed the trial of writer and journalist Tony Boulos until July. He faces charges of “inciting sectarian strife, conflicts, and attacks on State Security” for accusing Hezbollah in drug trafficking involvement (02/13). Additionally, the Lebanese authorities banned Marvel’s blockbuster Captain America: Brave New World due to the casting of Israeli actress Shira Hass (02/20).

Gaza Strip

Despite a ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army targeted the Al Jazeera Mubasher crew — correspondent Husam Shbat and videographer Mohammad Al-Masri — with live fire (02/03).

Several media professionals were released after months of detention and torture: Al Jazeera journalist Ameen Baraka; Pal Today new media head Ahmad Shaqoura; Youssef Al-Hindi, assistant to his brother Al Jazeera videographer Mohammad Al-Hindi, who remains detained (02/15); 180 News editor-in-chief Rami Abu Zubeida; freelance journalists Baha’ Al-Ghoul, Mohammad Qaoud, Khodr Abdul-Aal (arrested alongside his brother Ahmad, who is also affiliated with Al Jazeera and remains in custody (02/27).

Also this month, members of an American-Egyptian security company prevented freelance photographer Abdul-Rahim Khodr from using his drone and deleted his footage (02/09).

West Bank

Israeli forces attacked numerous Palestinian journalists using live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas: Al-Araby TV correspondent Amid Shehada and videographer Rabih Al-Munayer; Wafa agency’s Fatmeh Ibrahim; Al-Quds newspaper’s Ali Al-Sammudi; freelance journalists Mahmoud Zakarna and Shaza Hanaysha (02/09); Roya TV correspondent Hafez Abu Sabra, photographer Mahmoud Fawzi, and SIPA agency’s Nasser Ashtieh (02/16); Pal Post correspondent Mujahid Tabanjeh (02/16 and 02/25); Quds Network’s Abdullah Bahesh (02/16 and 02/25); freelance photographers Sudki Rayan (02/16) and Mohammad Al-Sayeh (02/16 and 02/25); and Hayat Radio correspondent Amira Hammouda (02/25).

Israeli forces also physically assaulted freelance journalist Missaab Shawer (02/01), while three military vehicles destroyed freelance journalist Abed Tahayna’s equipment while attempting to run him over (02/02).

Additionally, the Israeli army arrested freelance journalist Hassan Imad Abu Al-Hassan (02/07) and obstructed the work of Palestine TV’s Amir Hilmi Shaheen and videographer Louay Samhan, AFP photographer Jaafar Ashtieh, and freelance journalist Sodki Rayan (02/02).

Quds newspaper correspondent Ali Al-Sammudi was arrested again and threatened at gun point (02/26), while freelance journalists Mohammad Ismail Masharqa, Nidal Ashmar Al-Natsha, and Ihab Al-Allami were detained and interrogated (02/01). Intelligence officers interrogated Masharqa, Al-Natsha, and freelance journalist Bushra Jamal Al-Tawil the following day (02/02 and 02/03).

Palestinian security forces arrested Iranian news network correspondent Khaled Sabarneh and questioned him (02/23). Freelance journalist Jarrah Khalaf was released after being beaten and tortured in detention by the Palestinian police investigative division; his equipment was also confiscated (02/05).

1948 Territories

Israeli security forces arrested Al-Nas Radio journalist Said Hassanein (02/26) and freelance journalists Mohammad Sadek and his wife Bayan Jaaba, along with their two daughters. Sadek was banned from entering Al-Aqsa, while Jaaba was placed under house arrest on charges of “incitement” (02/28).

Alasima correspondent Saif Qawasimi (02/09) and freelance photographer Mohammad Dkaidek (02/26) were also summoned and banned from Al-Aqsa for a week. Al-Jarmaq correspondent Ward Qarawreh and Panet correspondent Motasem Musawreh were prevented from covering events at the site (02/03).

The Jerusalem District Court referred the case of freelance journalist Lama Ghosheh to the Public Service Unit (02/12), while the Israeli court extended the closure of Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem office and banned its operations for another 60 days (02/17).

Separately, Israeli police raided an educational bookshop, seized hundreds of books, and arrested the owners over allegations of inciting terrorism and violence (02/09). Police also cancelled two performances by comedian Nidal Badarneh and detained him for four hours to question him about his shows (02/14). Palestinian artist Amal Morcos was barred from participating in a cultural symposium after settlers issued threats against her (02/25).

Syria

In Damascus, unidentified individuals abducted former Al-Ikhbariya TV director Saleh Ibrahim (02/10). Meanwhile, the Syrian interim government banned a workshop on transitional justice without providing any justification (02/27).

Jordan

Journalist Hussam Al-Gharaiba was subjected to a widespread online defamation campaign. Two legal complaints were also filed against him following his criticism of speeches by prominent Jordanian figures (02/24).

Artist Dhafi Al-Abdallat reported that Jordan TV banned the airing of his Ramadan show Al-Musaharati for “personal reasons” (02/28).

The Jordanian Constitutional Court rejected an appeal by the Jo 24 website and ordered it to pay JOD 1,000 annually as a subscription fee to the Journalists Syndicate and the Media Commission (02/18).

Journalist Heba Abu Taha was released after serving her sentence and paying a fine, which had been covered through a donation campaign (02/13).