RSF calls for Israel's 'unconditional' release of Madleen journalist Yanis Mhamdi

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the “arbitrary arrest” of journalist Omar Faiad, released under conditions by Israel, and called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of fellow Madleen flotilla journalist Yanis Mhamdi.

Al Jazeera journalist Faiad landed in France on 10 June after being held by Israeli authorities for over 24 hours after the aid ship was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters. Mhamdi, from the French news outlet Blast, remains in custody. 

To secure his release, Faiad said he had to sign a series of documents, including a ban on entering Israeli territory.

According to Blast, Mhamdi refused to sign the documents that included “an agreement to be deported, an acknowledgement of the illegality of the Madleen's humanitarian mission, and a commitment never to set foot on Israeli soil again.”

“These practices by the Israeli authorities are illegal and abusive,” Martin Roux, the head of the RSF crisis desk, said in a statement.

“We commend both journalists for their professionalism in covering the Madleen mission, and for their courage in trying to break the media blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza.”