Al Jazeera denies hostage allegations, accuses Israel of attempting to ‘harm reputation’

Of the more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas and other militant groups in the Oct. 7 attacks, about 120 are believed to still be in Gaza, with 43 pronounced dead. (X/File)
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Updated 10 June 2024
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Al Jazeera denies hostage allegations, accuses Israel of attempting to ‘harm reputation’

  • Qatari network says Palestinian journalist Abdallah Al-Jamal contributed only once in 2019
  • Israel says it freed three hostages from Al-Jamal’s home over the weekend

Al Jazeera has dismissed allegations by Israel that one of the network’s journalists held hostages at his home in Gaza, and accused Israeli officials of trying to damage the news outlet’s reputation.

“Al Jazeera Media Network confirms that Abdallah Al-Jamal has never worked with the network, but had contributed to an op-ed in 2019 and that these allegations are completely unfounded,” it said in a statement posted on X on Monday.

The network said that “these allegations are a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeera’s reputation, professionalism, and independence.”

Al Jazeera also called for accuracy before publishing such allegations, saying “the repetition of which has become ridiculous. Al Jazeera Media Network reserves all its legal rights to refute all these allegations.”

Over the weekend, Israeli forces claimed to have killed Al-Jamal, a contributor to the US-based The Palestine Chronicle, along with his father and wife, in an operation to free three Israeli hostages held at his home in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

Noa Argamani, a fourth hostage, was reportedly rescued from a separate building.

Local authorities reported that 274 people died during the raid, which the Israelis described as a military response after coming under heavy fire. One special forces officer was killed in the operation.

On social media, the Israeli army published a post claiming that Al-Jamal was a contributor to Al Jazeera, with the question: “What’s this terrorist doing on your website?”

“Abdallah’s home held hostages, along with his family members,” the Israelis said. “This is further proof that the terrorist organization Hamas uses the civilian population as a human shield.”

Dr. Itai Pessach, director of the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, said that none of the rescued hostages had serious physical injuries but were being treated for psychological trauma.

Of the more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas and other militant groups in the Oct. 7 attacks, about 120 are believed to still be in Gaza, with 43 pronounced dead.


Book by jailed Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti set for November release

Updated 03 February 2026
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Book by jailed Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti set for November release

  • Prison letters, photographs and other documents to feature in the book

DUBAI: A new book by jailed Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti is set for publication in November, with Penguin confirmed as the publisher, The Guardian reported.

Titled “Unbroken: In Pursuit of Freedom for Palestine,” the book brings together a selection of Barghouti’s writings, including prison letters, interviews, public statements, conversations with public figures, and other documents and photographs.

It also features excerpts from his book “1,000 Days in Solitary Confinement,” which has so far only been published in Arabic.

Fadwa Barghouti, who wrote the introduction to the book, said she hoped it would allow the world to hear her husband “in his own voice, not through the noise surrounding him.”

She said in a statement: “This book finally makes that possible — and I hope it helps people understand who Marwan Barghouti truly is, and how he embodies the Palestinian struggle for freedom and dignity.”

Barghouti, who has spent over two decades in Israeli prison, is a member of the Fatah party. He has long advocated a two-state solution and is widely regarded as a powerful and unifying voice for Palestinians, with many supporters describing him as “Palestine’s Mandela.”

His detention has prompted repeated international advocacy efforts over the years.

In December 2025, an open letter calling for his release was signed by hundreds of celebrities, including Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith and Annie Ernaux; actors Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O’Connor, Mark Ruffalo and Stephen Fry; and musicians Sting, Paul Simon, Brian Eno and Annie Lennox.

In November 2025, his family and several UK-based human rights advocates ran a campaign that included demonstrations and public art installations in Palestine and London.

Barghouti has been jailed by Israel since 2004, having been handed five life sentences plus 40 years for his role during the second Palestinian uprising. He has spent significant time in solitary confinement, has been denied visits by his family for three years, and has been denied access to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

His name was on a list of prisoners to be exchanged for Israeli captives in October 2025, but Israel declined to release him.