BRUSSELS, June 14, 2017 (WAFA) - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Tuesday condemned Hamas for the detention of Palestine TV correspondent in Gaza, Fouad Jaradah, and called for his immediate release.

Hamas forces detained Jaradeh on Thursday at his Gaza home without any explanation.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) condemned the detention and described it as an "outrageous" violation of the Palestinian law.

Jaradah’s wife told the PJS that the Hamas forces asked her husband to take his computer and mobile with him and to follow them, promising to free him within an hour.

Since then, he has been detained without justification or without knowing what he is accused of.

"The PJS strongly condemns the continuous detention of journalists by Hamas security forces without giving reasons, which is contrary to Palestinian law," said the in a statement, adding that it was taking the case with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) in Gaza in order to secure his release.

The IFJ joined the PJS in urging Hamas to free Jaradah and respect press freedom in Gaza.

"We strongly stand by our Palestinian colleagues from the PJS and urge Hamas to immediately release Fouad Jaradah," said IFJ President, Philippe Leruth. "Hamas security forces must stop preying on Gaza journalists and systematically violating their fundamental rights."

M.K.