Israeli forces separate family of Middle East Eye correspondent after detaining wife

Israeli forces arbitrarily detained the wife of Middle East Eye correspondent Mohammed al-Hajjar on Thursday at a military checkpoint in the central Gaza Strip, forcing the family to separate as they attempted to move south to Rafah.

Hajjar's wife Inas Abu al-Maza was later released by the army, which made her return to Gaza City and prevented her from reuniting with her family in the south.

Before Abu al-Maza was released, Israeli forces confiscated her valuables, including thousands of dollars in cash, personal gold jewellery and two phones. 

Since Israel launched its ground invasion of Gaza in late October, Israeli forces have detained hundreds of civilians from their homes or while fleeing on roads declared safe by the army. 

Some have been released after interrogation but many have been taken to undisclosed locations.

Read more: Israeli forces detain wife of Middle East Eye correspondent at Gaza checkpoint