Gaza Reporter Says Israel Stripped, Blindfolded Journalists During Al-Shifa Raid
HuffPost
Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul recalled his arrest by Israeli forces while covering the attack inside Gaza's largest hospital.
An Al Jazeera journalist in northern Gaza who was just freed after Israeli forces beat and detained him for 12 hours has spoken up about his arrest, for whom he was reporting when he and other members of the media were taken by troops.
Israeli forces attacked al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday, claiming that Hamas militants were hiding in the medical facility. According to journalists and the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli troops directed missiles and gunfire at part of the hospital being used for specialized surgeries.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians ― including displaced civilians, medical staff and injured patients ― were trapped at the complex during Israel’s attack, according to the ministry. The facility is Gaza’s largest hospital.
Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul was covering the attack at the hospital alongside fellow journalists early Monday when Israeli troops stormed the complex, destroying their broadcast equipment, tents and vehicles before arresting them, he said after later being released.
Eyewitnesses, including Palestinian journalist Imad Zaqqout, told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces severely beat al-Ghoul before detaining him with dozens of others within the hospital.
