"The incident, involving several journalists, highlights the precarious situation in southern Syria, as international media faces heightened risks in conflict zones and military engagements."
"BBC Journalists Detained by Israeli Soldiers in Southern Syria: An Eyewitness Account"
"BBC Journalists Detained by Israeli Soldiers in Southern Syria: An Eyewitness Account"
"A BBC Arabic team faced a harrowing experience when detained by Israeli forces while reporting near the Golan Heights buffer zone."
On the morning of May 9, a BBC Arabic team departed from Damascus, aiming to investigate the southern province of Deraa and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The team consisted of seven members, including the British correspondent and several Iraqi and Syrian staff, venturing into an area Israel had proclaimed control over since December 2022. Their purpose: to gather insights into the ongoing tensions following the Syrian regime's decline.
Upon reaching a location near a United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) post, an interaction with a UN official indicated that the Israeli forces were aware of their presence. The crew then proceeded towards Quneitra city, where they encountered a checkpoint guarded by Israeli soldiers and tanks.
After an uneventful filming period, Israeli troops suddenly confronted the team. Armed with rifles, they quickly confiscated the journalists' equipment, which escalated into a more serious situation when additional military personnel arrived. The crew found themselves detained, with soldiers scouring their vehicle and inspecting their footage.
Feras Kilani, the British correspondent, managed to communicate briefly with BBC headquarters regarding their predicament before their phones were seized. Under duress, Kilani faced a demeaning interrogation process, where his personal details were scrutinized alongside critical questions about their filming objectives.
The atmosphere became increasingly intense as fellow team members were forcibly interrogated and stripped of their privacy; they were blindfolded and bound, further amplifying the chaotic environment. The soldiers warned the crew against future trespassing near the frontier, asserting extensive knowledge about them and their work.
After enduring hours of undue apprehension, the team was released, albeit disorientated and without proper directions. Left in the dark, they navigated their way back to a nearby village before finding the highway home to Damascus.
Events such as these highlight the precarious balance that journalists must maintain in hostile territories, as well as the risks they face while reporting on ongoing conflicts and military activities. The BBC has reached out for clarification from the Israeli military about the incident but awaits a formal response.
