Hamas tortures, frees German cameraman
A cameraman for a major German TV broadcaster says he was tortured by his Hamas captors before being released.
Sawah Abu Saif, 42, freed Thursday by members of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was hospitalized in “bad condition,” according to the head of the ARD news agency’s studio in Israel, Richard Chaim Schneider. Saif was held for five days after being taken from his Gaza home.
His captors tortured him for information about ARD, Saif said.
The agency closed its Gaza bureau in reaction to the abduction and had no immediate plans to reopen.
Saif was taken captive July 26 by masked gunmen. Reportedly his abductors suspected Saif of being
a member of the rival political faction Fatah. Schneider told reporters that Saif is not affiliated with any political party.
Hamas blamed Fatah for an explosion the day before that killed five Hamas militants and a child.
Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Citing Palestinian conflict, rocker Cat Power cancels Tel Aviv show
- Jewish groups praise Obama contraceptives compromise
- Holder: U.S. urged Israel not to release killers of Americans
- Turkish FM: We will never endorse striking Iran
- Israeli missile defense test a ‘milestone’
- Sarkozy: Iran solution should be non-military
- Marines’ SS photo condemned by Jewish groups
- Grandson of Auschwitz survivor takes the ice for Germany
Share
Email
Print




