CPJ to release report documenting Palestinian journalists’ claims of torture in Israeli prisons

New York, February 17, 2026 — On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) will release a special report documenting the conditions Palestinian journalists report experiencing while in Israeli detention since October 2023. 

The report draws on in-depth interviews from 59 Palestinian journalists released since October 7, 2023. Of those interviewed, 58 reported being subjected to what they described as torture, abuse, or other forms of violence while in Israeli custody. CPJ also reviewed, when possible, supporting evidence provided by the detainees, including photographs, medical reports, and legal documents.

In their testimonies, journalists recount beatings, some resulting in severe injuries, starvation, medical neglect, as well as sexual violence, including rape. Many also describe threats, stress positions causing prolonged pain, and being subjected to prolonged exposure to high-volume sound, including continuous music. 

WHAT: CPJ special report about the treatment and conditions of Palestinian journalists in Israeli prisons

WHEN: February 19, 2026, at 3:00 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CET

WHERE: www.cpj.org

WHO: CPJ experts are available to speak in multiple languages about the key findings and what the data portend for press freedom in the year ahead.

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About the Committee to Protect Journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

To request an embargoed copy of the census or an interview, please reach out to [email protected].