December 14, 2012

(JTA) — Reuters cameramen accused Israeli troops of forcing them to strip, exposing them to tear gas and hitting them.

The news agency reported on Dec. 13 that Yousri Al Jamal and Ma’amoun Wazwaz were assaulted in Hebron, where the troops allegedly forced them to strip in the street before setting off a tear gas canister in front of them.

The army said on Thursday it took the allegations seriously, Reuters reported. “The regional brigade commander was ordered to open an investigation,” it quoted IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich as saying.

According to Reuters, the incident involved a foot patrol that stopped the cameramen as they were driving to a nearby checkpoint where an Israeli soldier had shot and killed a Palestinian youth. 

The cameramen’s car was marked ‘TV’ and they were both wearing blue flak jackets with ‘Press’ emblazoned on the front, the report said.

The soldiers forced them to leave the vehicle and punched them, striking them with the butts of their guns, according to the Reurters account. 

Two other Palestinian journalists working for local news organisations, including a satellite television station affiliated to the Islamist group Hamas, were also detained, Reuters said..

Need to know? Sign up now to get JTA’s free e-newsletters!

Click to write a letter to the editor.

This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.