Palestinian journalist and Hamas critic is arrested in Gaza

GAZA, Palestinian Territory – The wife of a prominent Palestinian journalist and critic of the Islamic militant group that rules the Gaza Strip says Hamas has arrested him.

Mohammed Othman’s wife, Huda, says Hamas officers arrested him at his home on Thursday after showing up with a warrant for his arrest.

She says the officers didn’t give a reason for Othman’s arrest. Hamas officials were unavailable for comment.

Othman works for the Washington-based Al-Monitor news site. Last month, Hamas’s Health Ministry in Gaza barred Othman from entering hospitals as a journalist after he published a report that exposed medical errors he said were taking place there.

Human Rights Watch this week accused Palestinian authorities in Gaza and the West Bank of stifling free speech and abusing local journalists and activists who criticize government policies.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.