At around 2:30 a.m. on September 19, several Israeli military vehicles surrounded the home of Mujahed al-Saadi, a well-known Palestinian journalist in the West Bank.
Members of an Israeli special forces unit broke down his door and stormed inside, according to Mujahed’s brother, Hamadah. Using the butts of their M16 rifles and their bare fists, they beat the barefoot al- Saadi in his face and chest. Al-Saadi’s wife, three young children, and father also reside in the house. When his wife tried to hand him his shoes, the soldiers beat her as well, according to his colleague in Jenin who asked to remain anonymous out of fear for their safety.
The Israeli soldiers then took Mujahed to Jalameh prison to interrogate him before transferring him to Megiddo, a prison notorious for abuse and mistreatment of prisoners. At least four detainees have died inside the prison since October as a result of severe beatings by prison guards or medical neglect.
Since al-Saadi’s arrest on Thursday, he has had no contact with family members or his lawyer. Hamadah said he is being held in administrative detention, a policy under which prisoners can be held without charge indefinitely.