Palestinian-American journalist Naqqa Hamed, a correspondent for Iranian state-run news channel PressTV, was detained by IDF soldiers near Bethlehem on Tuesday, English-language PressTV reported.
A PressTV journalist was detained, an IDF source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
Hamed and a camera crew were stopped at a local checkpoint by soldiers, who allegedly searched them before arresting Hamed, PressTV reported.
According to the allegations, Hamed’s cameraman was released, while she remained in custody.
Hamed was transferred to the Israel Police, not the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the IDF source told the Post. Iran had said the Shin Bet had detained her.
PressTV claims Hamed targeted in online 'smear campaign'
PressTV said Hamed’s arrest came after she had been subjected to an online “smear campaign,” during which she was repeatedly probed on how she could continue working for the Iranian outlet while living in Area B of the West Bank without being arrested.
It accused those who questioned Hamed online of attempting to “exert psychological and media pressure” to obstruct PressTV’s reporting.
PressTV also said Hamed had previously clashed with Israeli forces while reporting in Kalandiya, near Jerusalem.