\n PressTV correspondent Naqqa Hamed (File)
\n
<\/p>\n
Israeli forces have abducted Press TV correspondent Naqqa Hamed at a military checkpoint near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n
Hamed was traveling with a camera crew when Israeli forces stopped them at a checkpoint near the town of Tuqu, southeast of Bethlehem. The crew was searched, after which the forces abducted Hamed and released the cameramen, one of her colleagues told\u00a0Press TV.<\/p>\n
The abduction comes as the Palestinian journalist had been subjected to attacks and a smear campaign by Zionist accounts for the past month. In a coordinated effort, the accounts sought to intensify a media campaign against Hamed by posting similar content using nearly identical language.<\/p>\n
Focusing on Naqqa Hamed\u2019s presence in \u201cArea B,\u201d which is under Israeli security control, the accounts posed the provocative question of how she could continue working there \u201cwithout being arrested,\u201d citing his cooperation for Iran\u2019s Press TV.<\/p>\n
The campaign has been part of a targeted effort to exert psychological and media pressure, restrict the space available to journalists and media outlets, and obstruct Press TV\u2019s reporting of Israeli crimes from reaching audiences around the world.<\/p>\n
The reporter had previously been targeted while covering Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank. On August 6, Israeli forces attacked journalists, including Hamed, as they covered a raid on the Qalandiya refugee camp.<\/p>\n
The reporters were wearing press vests and helmets and were clearly identified as members of the media when Israeli forces used a stun grenade and tear gas against them.<\/p>\n
Hamed was also injured in December last year while reporting live from Qalandiya camp after Israeli forces fired rubber bullets.<\/p>\n
The latest detention comes as Israeli forces continue frequent raids across cities, towns and refugee camps in the occupied West Bank. The assaults have involved home searches, arrests and gunfire, with tensions escalating since Israel began its war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023.<\/p>\n
Press TV\u2019s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:<\/p>\n