On January 12, 2024, Israeli soldiers arrested Amjad Arafat, a reporter for the Abu Dhabi-based news website Al-Ain News, after breaking into his aunt’s house in Al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza, where he and his family were staying after being displaced from Gaza City. Prior to the war, Arafat contributed to the independent news websites Raseef22 and the Noon Post.
His brother, Rafat, told CPJ in October 2024 that he had no information on his brother’s case, including details on his health or any charges he might be facing.
In March 2026, Rafat told CPJ his brother was being held in Ktzi'ot Prison in Israel's southern Negev desert. The family still did not know what charges were brought against him and were not aware of any sentencing.
As of April 3, 2026, there was no public record in Israeli court databases indicating that Arafat had been formally charged or sentenced; he was likely being detained under an administrative detention order.
A comment in a December 2025 Facebook post indicates that Arafat was likely also kept in Ganot/Nafha Prison before being moved to Ktzi'ot.
CPJ emailed the Israeli Prison Services for comment on Arafat’s detention, charges, and health, but did not immediately receive a reply.