Ramallah- Jamal Dajani, Director of Strategic Communications & Media at the Prime Minister's Office, denounced Israel's systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists and media outlets. Dajani was referring to Israel's recent Incursions into areas under the Palestinian Authority’s control in order to arrest journalists and shut down media outlets.

"Israel has doubled its efforts to silence Palestinian journalists on all fronts; we are witnessing a systematic campaign designed to spread fear amongst journalists and a direct intervention in the daily operations of Palestinian media institutions, here and abroad," stated Dajani.

Since the beginning of January 2016, 27 Palestinian journalists were targeted by Israeli security forces, with 12 incidents occurring during the month of February alone. Several journalists have been arrested under the pretext of "incitement," as was the case with Muhammad al-Qiq and others. Palestinian journalists have been also subjected to physical assault, and targeted with live metal rounds and teargas canisters.