Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Denounces Hamas’ Arrest, Assault of Colleague

Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
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Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Denounces Hamas’ Arrest, Assault of Colleague

Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)
Palestinians shop in a market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, 22 March 2023. (EPA)

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate strongly condemned the arrest and assault of Hani Abu Rizk, a correspondent of Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda newspaper, by Hamas police during his filming of people marking the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Al-Saraya Square in Gaza City.

In a statement, the Syndicate voiced deep concern over the incident.

It said police were aware that Abu Rizk was a journalist when they assaulted him. It held the police fully responsible for the “brutal attack” that violates freedom of journalistic work, demanding an apology.

Abu Rizk is a journalist who covers humanitarian stories and the sufferings of people in the Gaza Strip. He covered a story about how Hamas movement police had demolished the house of a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Al-Saeed Al-Masry, a cancer patient, was living in a residential complex with his brothers. A local businessman bought the complex, but Al-Masry refused to sell his home because of his medical condition.

A Hamas court ruled in favor of the businessman and ordered the immediate evacuation of the home and that compensation be paid to the owner, who still refused to sell.

The police ultimately carried out the court order and demolished the home, forcibly evicting the owners.

Abu Rizk was attacked for covering the story. He was summoned by Hamas police and arrested.

The Syndicate expressed its rejection of the assault and arrest, saying it will take all necessary action to avert similar acts from happening again.

It called on rights groups to condemn the attack and pressure Hamas to ensure that it would not commit them again.



Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
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Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X

Egypt and Türkiye have agreed to collaborate on the establishment of a joint university in Cairo in implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Ankara on September 4.

President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council (YOK) Erol Ozvar said Thursday that the two countries are keen to consolidate collaboration in different areas, including education.

During a visit to Cairo, Ozvar described the agreement to establish the university as “one of the most crucial steps taken by both states in recent years.” He indicated that a mutual council will be formed to oversee the process, with the names of the council members to be announced in due course.

Ozvar revealed that he held discussions with the Egyptian education minister, Mohamed Ayman Ashour, to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Ozvar also noted that they discussed the possibility of holding an annual forum between Turkish and Egyptian universities. “By bringing together universities from both countries in both Türkiye and Egypt, these gatherings would provide a platform for rectors and faculty members to share ideas, experiences, and best practices,” he said.