IDF arrests Iran's Press TV journalist in West Bank, hands her to police, source confirms to 'Post'

The IDF confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that the journalist, identified by the Iranian state broadcaster as Palestinian-American Naqqa Hamad, was transferred to the Israel Police.

An Iranian state-run media outlet claimed that one of its journalists, Naqqa Hamed, was arrested by Israeli forces near Bethlehem in the West Bank on Tuesday.

An IDF source confirmed the arrest of a Press TV journalist to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

According to Iran’s state-run English-language news site, Press TV, Palestinian-American correspondent Hamed and a camera crew were stopped at a checkpoint in the area by Israeli forces, who allegedly searched them before arresting Hamed.

Hamed’s cameraman was allegedly released, while she remained in custody.

Hamed was transferred to Israel Police, and not to Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), despite Iranian allegations that Shin Bet has her in detention; the IDF source confirmed to the Post.

Press TV claims Hamed targeted in online 'smear campaign'

Press TV claimed that 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 in Area B of the West Bank without being arrested.

They accused those who questioned Hamed online of attempting to “exert psychological and media pressure” in order to obstruct Press TV’s reporting.

Press TV also claimed that Hamed had previously clashed with Israeli forces while reporting in Kalandiya.