Gaza Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Index on Censorship

Three newspapers censored in Gaza

The Palestinian authorities have prevented three newspapers from being distributed in Gaza territories for the second day in a row. The ban comes only days after the Israeli authorities lifted their own year and a half ban on the papers. The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) quoted Palestinian sources as saying that the authorities require daily newspapers printed in the West Bank to agree not to print anything critical of Hamas. The newspapers are still waiting for an official announcement as to why they have been banned. MADA strongly condemned the action and demanded that the authorities allow all journalists to work freely in the area.

British documentary film maker detained in Gaza

British freelance journalist and documentary film maker Paul Martin was detained at a Gaza courthouse yesterday on the orders of Hamas officials. According to a Ministry of Interior Spokesman Martin – who has worked for the BBC and the Time – is suspected of breaking Palestinian law and is to be detained for 15 days, but the allegations have not been clarified further.

Journalists banned from Gaza hospitals and Rafah

The Hamas interior ministry has denied Palestinian and foreign journalists access to the southern city of Rafah and to all hospitals in the Gaza Strip until further notice. The ban was issued after fighting broke out in Rafah between the Hamas government and a radical Islamist group. Read more here

Hamas screens first feature length film

On 1 August, Hamas screened its first feature length film. It documents the life of Imad Aqel, a Palestinian militant accused by the Israelis of killing 13 soldiers and settlers. Hamas already owns a satellite television channel, a radio station and several newspapers. The director of the film has said he hopes to show the film at Cannes Film Festival.