‘It Was a Real Hell’: Palestinian Journalist on His Year in Israeli Prison
Samoudi says he lost 60 kilos during a year in Israeli prison and endured abuse and poor nutrition while held without charge.
- Palestinian journalist Ali Samoudi was released last week after serving a year in Israeli administrative detention without charge. The 59-year-old lost 132 pounds during his imprisonment, emerging gaunt and physically transformed.
- Israeli authorities publicly accused Samoudi of financing Islamic Jihad, but he was never formally charged with a crime. Calling the allegation 'bullshit,' Samoudi noted interrogators never questioned him about the terrorism claim during detention.
- Conditions inside the facility were 'a real hell,' Samoudi reported, citing a starvation diet and frequent abuse. He witnessed 22-year-old cellmate Louay Turkman die after Israeli guards refused to provide necessary medical treatment for his severe illness.
- Samoudi contends his arrest was an attempt to silence his coverage, stating, 'My arrest is part of the Israeli war against the Palestinian press and media.' He claims authorities aimed to block his camera and break his pen.
- Israel ranked as the third-worst jailer of journalists in 2025, behind only China and Myanmar, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists . The organization reported 105 Palestinian reporters have been detained since October 7, 2023, with 33 currently imprisoned.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Ali al-Samoudi cautiously descends the steps leading to his home. The 59-year-old Palestinian journalist is gaunt, with short gray hair and a beard of the same color. Each wary step reveals the physical toll of all he has endured, which has aged him prematurely. We have worked with Samoudi for years, and this is the first time we have seen him in person in more than 12 months. We hardly recognize him. Samoudi was released last week from an Israe…
Ali al-Samoudi cautiously descends the steps leading to his house.
‘It was a real hell’: Palestinian journalist on his year in Israeli prison
He is one of 105 Palestinian journalists who have been detained and imprisoned since October 7, 2023, the majority also held without charge, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
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Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
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