ALBAWABA - Earlier today, Israeli authorities released Al-Araby Al-Jadeed chief bureau correspondent in Gaza Deya' Al-Kahlout following his arrest back in December along with several other Gazan men falsely accused of being fighters for Hamas.
A correspondent of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed said that Al-Kahlout was released through the Kerem Shalom crossing on the eastern borders of Gaza, and was moved to the hospital for an overall health checkup.
Earlier in December, was arrested from the Al-Souk area in Beit Lahya, a city in northern Gaza, along with an unknown number of family members on December 7, according to a statement by his outlet and a report by Beirut-based news website Al-Modon.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a statement following Al-Kahlout's arrest calling for his immediate release. "We are deeply concerned by reports of the arrest of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed journalist Diaa Al-Kahlout in northern Gaza along with his family members".
"The Israeli army should disclose his location, release him immediately, and take steps to ensure the safety of all journalists covering this war, especially those in Gaza who face imminent harm" the CPJ statement added.
Al-Kahlout was arrested at gunpoint and was forced to leave his disabled daughter behind, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported, adding that Israeli soldiers allegedly beat and stripped Al-Kahlout and the others arrested with him.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed’s editor-in-chief, Hussam Kanafani, said the outlet was working to determine the whereabouts of Al-Kahlout and secure his release, charging that Israel deliberately "arrests, targets, and kills journalists" to prevent documentation of crimes.
