Israeli soldiers arrested Mohammed El Hendi, as camera operator for the Qatari-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, and his brother and camera assistant, Yousef El Hendi, in a March 18, 2024 offensive on Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital complex. His brother was released on February 15, 2025, in a prisoner hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, while Mohammed El Hendi remained in custody.
In March 2026, Yousef told CPJ that his brother was still detained in Ofer Prison. He said that, to date, no lawyer had visited him in prison.
The family was not aware of Mohammed’s current health, but Yousef recalled that while they were detained together, his condition inside prison was significantly deteriorating. At the beginning of his detention, he weighed around 115 kilograms (253 pounds), but his weight in 2025 was between 65 and 70 kilograms (143 and 154 pounds). He was suffering at the time from scabies and boils, and his eyesight had worsened.
Yousef told CPJ that Mohammed is arbitrarily detained under the Unlawful Combatants Law without charge or sentencing. His detention has been extended every six months via a video conference trial.
CPJ emailed the Israeli Prison Services for comment on El Hendi’s detention, charges, and health but did not immediately receive a reply.