Israel alleges journalist held hostages in Gaza, without providing evidence

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - GAZA — Three hostages rescued during a deadly Israeli military operation on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza were held captive by a journalist, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleged Sunday, without providing evidence to support their claim.

In a statement, the IDF claimed freed hostages Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv were held by journalist Abdallah Aljamal and his family members at their home in central Gaza camp.

The three men, who were kidnapped by Hamas militants from the Nova music festival on October 7, were rescued after being held captive for 246 days, in an IDF special operation on Saturday along with a fourth hostage, Noa Argamani.

There are varying reports on the number of Palestinians killed. The latest figures from Gazan authorities say 274 Palestinians were killed and 698 injured – which would mark one of the deadliest days in months for people living in Gaza.

The IDF has disputed those numbers, saying it estimated the number of casualties from the operation was “under 100.” CNN cannot independently verify either side’s figures.

Aljamal was killed in the IDF operation along with his wife and father, according to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor chairman Ramy Abdu, citing initial testimony gathered by the group documenting the IDF’s alleged killings in the Nuseirat camp on Saturday.

Aljamal lived on the first floor of a multi-story building, according to Euro-Med. The IDF said the hostages were found on the third floor.

CNN is attempting to reach out to people familiar with Aljamal.

The IDF statement claimed Aljamal was a Hamas operative and a journalist for Al Jazeera.

The allegations come a month after Israel expelled the Qatar-based network from the country under a new wartime law that allows the Israeli government to ban foreign media it deems harmful to its security.

In a statement Sunday, Al Jazeera called Israel’s allegations “completely unfounded” and “a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeera’s reputation, professionalism, and independence.”

Aljamal never worked for the network but had once contributed to an opinion piece published on its website, Al Jazeera said.

Al Jazeera’s website credits Aljamal as the author of an op-ed published in 2019. His biography page on the site describes him as a “Gaza-based reporter and photojournalist.”

Aljamal was a freelance contributor to The Palestine Chronicle, according to the US-based online outlet. The Chronicle said it was saddened by Aljamal’s death, noting his reports “have focused entirely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

Meanwhile, an X account linked to Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed Aljamal was a spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Labor, citing unnamed sources in Gaza.

Without providing evidence, the Israeli X account also claimed that Argamani was held in Aljamal’s home, before later saying the three men were held captive there.

The Israeli military operation Saturday to free the four hostages took place mid-morning, when the streets were teeming with people shopping at a nearby market. It left a trail of devastation in civilian areas, where the IDF claimed Hamas militants were embedded.

Residents described the Israeli attack as “hell on earth,” with scenes of carnage following the strikes that led up to the rescue. Eyewitnesses described civilians being struck down by airstrikes and shrapnel.

Footage from the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital showed trucks and ambulances transferring injured people and bodies to the hospital. Graphic footage shows many Palestinians, including children, injured with blood on their faces and clothes, and the hospital’s emergency room overwhelmed.

The four rescued hostages are in “good medical condition” and are receiving medical attention, according to the IDF.

More than 70 hostages held in Gaza since Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on October 7 are believed to be alive. Intensive negotiations over a ceasefire and a deal to swap hostages for Palestinian prisoners have stalled recently following months of talks.

Hostage freeing operations are extremely rare. More than 100 hostages were freed under a temporary truce last year, while Israel has rescued seven hostages by military means.

However, Saturday’s operation shows such operations are still possible and may encourage further efforts from the Israeli military, given a major goal of Israel’s Gaza offensive is to rescue the remaining hostages.

In a video address following the operation, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari commended Israeli special forces for successfully rescuing the four hostages, and said the military would not lose sight of those still held by Hamas. “We will not stop fighting for their freedom,” he said.

Israel last month pressed ahead with its ground operation in central Rafah despite international condemnation for its escalation in the southern Gaza city where some 1.3 million Palestinians were taking shelter before Israel began its operation there. — CNN