On May 3, 2026, Israeli soldiers raided the home of freelance reporter Islam Amarneh in Dheisheh camp, Bethlehem, West Bank, arresting her.
Her father, Abdul Majeed, told CPJ that masked Israeli soldiers broke down the door and entered the home with no prior warning, screaming while entering rooms where people were sleeping, including children. In a video published online, the journalist’s four-year-old daughter described the dawn raid.
He said that Amarneh was in Ashkelon/Shikma prison, and that she would be heard in Ofer military court on May 7. On that day, Amarneh did not appear in front of the judge, but was given a 12-day extension to her detention.
CPJ reviewed a document stating that Amarneh is barred from meeting a lawyer prior to her court hearing, citing “national security” concerns.
Amarneh is the sister of currently imprisoned journalist Ossayd Amarneh, and recently released journalist Moath Amarneh.
CPJ emailed the Israeli Defense Forces for comment on the raid and arrest of Amarneh. It said she “was apprehended for questioning on suspicion of involvement in illegal security activities, including support for violent terrorist activity,” and denied claims of violence during her apprehension.