JERUSALEM, June 7, 2026 (WAFA) – An Israeli court on Sunday sentenced Jerusalem-based journalist Bayan Al-Jaaba to 20 months in prison, in addition to a six-month suspended sentence valid for three years and a fine of 5,000 shekels.

The court also ruled that Al-Jaaba’s prison term will begin on September 6, following her conviction on charges of “incitement and support for a terrorist organization” related to social media posts.

Israeli forces detained Al-Jaaba on February 28, 2025, from within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound while she was accompanying her husband, journalist Mohammad Al-Sadiq, and their two daughters during the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon.

She was released several hours later after questioning due to her medical condition, as she was in the final month of what was classified as a high-risk pregnancy. Authorities subsequently placed her under house arrest and prohibited her from using social media platforms.

On March 20, 2025, prosecutors filed an indictment against her that included charges of “incitement through social media,” “support for and affiliation with a terrorist organization,” based on posts published on Facebook and Instagram between 2021 and 2024, as well as personal photographs taken inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

During more than 15 months of house arrest, Al-Jaaba was subjected to strict restrictions. She gave birth to her third child during that period and was repeatedly required to attend court hearings.

Approximately 13 court sessions were held in recent months, including proceedings related to the filing and amendment of the indictment and the hearing of witnesses, before the court issued its final verdict on Sunday.

Her lawyer is expected to file an appeal against the ruling in the coming period.

K.T