Hamas security officers raided the homes of journalists working in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday January 23rd, and took them into custody. A number of other reporters were arrested after being summoned for interrogation by Hamas security authorities.

Palestinian journalists condemned Hamas, a U.S. designated terrorist organization, for arresting their colleagues and called for their immediate release.

The Palestinian Information and Culture Department also condemned the crackdown on the journalists in the Gaza Strip and called on Hamas to release them immediately. The department described the arrests as a serious assault on freedom of speech and human rights.