UPDATE WITH INVESTIGATON DECISION OF ISRAELI POLICE DEPARTMENT
By Mucahit Aydemir and Alperen Aktas
JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army on Friday violently attacked Anadolu photojournalist Mustafa Alkharouf, who was on duty in occupied East Jerusalem, sending him to the hospital.
The incident occurred as a group of Palestinians gathered in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood near the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray, amid restrictions imposed by the Israeli army on Friday prayers at the mosque, restrictions seen for the past 10 weeks.
Israeli police, who set up barricades in the area, first pulled their weapons at Alkharouf, who was covering the news, and then threw him to the ground, beating and kicking him while he was on the ground.
Alkharouf suffered severe blows resulting in injuries to his face and body and was transported by ambulance to the Makassed Hospital in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli police also attacked cameraman Faiz Abu Ramila, who was with Alkharouf.
- Involved officer suspended immediately, investigation launched
Regarding a video showing the police attacking Anadolu journalists, the Israel police said an investigation has been launched into the attack.
Israel police said on X: "Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Border Police Commander has immediately suspended the officers involved. This decision underscores our commitment to accountability and maintaining the highest professional standards within our ranks."
"An investigation has been opened by the Police Internal Investigations Division to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident," it added.
Investigations conducted by Israeli authorities into the actions of police and soldiers involved in violence against journalists in the occupied territories often remain inconclusive.
The incident comes amid the over two-month Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians and dozens of journalists, along with hundreds of killings and arrests in the occupied West Bank.