Al Mayadeen condemns brutal arrest of Bureau Chief in Palestine
Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strong statement on Monday denouncing the violent arrest of its bureau chief in occupied Palestine, journalist Nasser al-Lahham, by Shin Bet officers and agents earlier today. The network said the arrest was carried out with "brutality and repression," demanding al-Lahham’s immediate release.
According to the statement, an Israeli Shin Bet arrest unit raided al-Lahham’s home, ransacking his family’s belongings and damaging their electronic devices. His phones were confiscated during the operation, which Al Mayadeen described as part of a wider campaign of repression against Palestinian journalists.
"We are not surprised by the occupation’s sadistic practices," Al Mayadeen said, "nor by its persistent hostility toward journalism, journalists, and the right to report the truth."
Media figures are Israeli targets
The statement mentions that Nasser al-Lahham is one of the most recognized names in Palestinian media, with more than 30 years of experience in journalism. His arrest drew swift condemnation from across the Arab world, with media figures, press freedom advocates, and political movements expressing solidarity.
Al Mayadeen called on the Palestinian and Arab journalistic community to take a firm stand, urging them to demand al-Lahham’s release and acknowledge his long-standing professionalism, integrity, and dedication to ethical reporting.
The network also urged regional and international press freedom organizations to take a stand against what it described as the Israeli occupation’s "escalating war on journalism," citing a pattern of arrests, censorship, and the deliberate killing of journalists, especially in Gaza, as part of this campaign.
Al Mayadeen further appealed to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to intervene and defend al-Lahham’s legal rights as a Palestinian citizen and journalist.
"For us, Nasser is more than a bureau chief. He is a leading voice in Palestinian journalism, a symbol of purposeful reporting, and a steadfast defender of his people’s rights," the statement said.
Widespread expressions of support
The network expressed gratitude to those who have spoken out in support of al-Lahham, ranging from Palestinian leaders and political factions to Arab movements, international media institutions, and advocates of press freedom and free _expression_.
Al Mayadeen reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for Nasser al-Lahham’s release across all public forums and legal channels, vowing to continue defending the rights of journalists under occupation.
This latest move comes as part of a broader, systematic campaign targeting its journalists and media operations in occupied Palestine. In late October 2023, Israeli forces raided al-Lahham’s home, assaulting his wife and children, conducting an intrusive search, and detaining his two sons, Basil and Basel.
Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent Hanaa Mahamid continues to face repeated threats by Israeli authorities in an attempt to suppress independent media coverage from the occupied territories.
The Israeli government has renewed its ban on Al Mayadeen’s operations, confiscated its broadcasting equipment, and blocked its websites, in a crackdown against the network, amid the continued genocide in the Gaza Strip and the broad assault on the West Bank.
Read more: Israeli airstrike targets Al Mayadeen's Beirut Office