Diaa al Kahlut, a Palestinian journalist with Gaza roots, faced a prolonged detention that lasted 33 days. Reports indicate that Israeli authorities subjected him to intense pressure, and accusations of torture and ill‑treatment circulated in connection with his case.
During the detention period, al Kahlut said he was denied essential medical care for a herniated disc. He described experiences of physical and psychological strain that he believes were part of a broader pattern of mistreatment, including a period of severe sensory deprivation and isolation that persisted for hours. These accounts have raised concerns among observers about the conditions faced by detained journalists in the region.
One specific method of alleged abuse mentioned in connection with the case is described by sources as a form of prolonged discomfort and control that involved restraints and restricted movement. The accounts emphasize the role of sleep deprivation, limited access to basic needs, and attempts to induce stress through isolation. The description notes that the individual was restrained in a way that impacted mobility and comfort, contributing to a harsh confinement experience.
Al Kahlut recounted these experiences in a video released by a regional human rights organization. He was reportedly taken into custody in December and held in a private residence in Beit Lahiya, located in the northern Gaza Strip, before being released in January. He characterized the entire period as the most difficult of his life, condemning the treatment as degrading, noting scarce food provisions, and lamenting the lack of contact with the outside world during his confinement.
As a journalist, al Kahlut has been associated with media outlets that operate across the Arab world and beyond. He contributed to a publication known for providing English-language coverage of regional topics, serving in a leadership role within a Gaza-based desk that has earned recognition for its reporting on political, social, and humanitarian developments in the area. The situation surrounding his detention has drawn attention to the broader issue of press freedom and the risks faced by reporters working in conflict zones, where access to reliable information can be extremely restricted and personal safety is often precarious.