The Israeli army arrested Palestinian researcher Mahmoud Talal Al Najjar, originally from Jabalia, at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday, as he was leaving the Gaza Strip for Italy to continue his studies at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Read more Housing plan, first cut on amendments: stop to tax breaks
According to what was announced by the IDF via a post on X by spokeswoman Ariella Mazor, the researcher is allegedly “a militant of Hamas’s northern brigade” and participated in the massacre of October 7, 2023. The IDF has not provided further evidence to support the accusations.
This version is disputed by Palestinian organizations, which deny any link between the academic and Hamas and speak of an unjustified arrest.
Read more From Azraq camp to Rome, seven Syrian girls at the Kim and Liù taekwondo tournament
The arrest came as a surprise even to Cogat, the Israeli Ministry of Defense body responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories.
Detention during transit to Italy
Al Najjar was traveling with a group of 17 Palestinian students admitted to university programs in Italy. The group had obtained visas and authorizations after months of procedures, as part of academic mobility programs also supported by Italian institutions.
Read more From the nonexistent refund to the false summons to the barracks, scams don’t take a vacation