Criminal9/18/2026

Palestinian-American Journalist’s Detention Extended Amid Incitement Investigation

A court extended the detention of Palestinian-American journalist Nakaa Hamed for seven days, until September 23, 2026. Police are investigating suspicions including trading with the enemy, incitement and support for a hostile organization; the report does not state that charges have been filed.

Key facts

•Suspect: Nakaa Hamed, Palestinian-American journalist
•Detention extended through September 23, 2026
•Extension period: seven additional days
•Court and case number: not stated
•No specific statute or criminal charge stated

The arrest

Hamed, a resident of Beitin in her 30s, works as a correspondent for the Iranian English-language channel Press TV. She was arrested at a checkpoint near Tekoa, southeast of Bethlehem. According to the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, she was returning from Hebron after filming a report.

What police are investigating

The investigation is being conducted by the Israel Police crime-fighting unit in the Samaria region of the Judea and Samaria District, together with other security agencies. Investigators are examining the nature of Hamed’s connections with Iran and suspicions of incitement or identification with terrorism. Police also cite suspected support for a hostile organization, harm to regional security or to the IDF and its operations, and the prohibition on trading with the enemy.

The court’s decision

Police asked the court to extend Hamed’s detention while investigators collect evidence and other findings. The court granted the request and ordered that she remain detained for seven additional days, through September 23, 2026. The source does not identify the court, provide a case number, name a specific statute or report a final determination on the allegations.

What this means for you

The decision permits police to keep Hamed in custody temporarily while the investigation continues; it is not a finding of guilt. For people in a similar situation, it shows that suspected links with an enemy state, incitement, or support for a hostile organization may lead to detention during a joint police and security investigation. The source does not state whether prosecutors will file charges.

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