The Israel Defense Forces accused a journalist, associated with Al Jazeera news organisation, of holding three among the four hostages who were freed in a raid on Saturday (June 8).

Al Jazeera’s writer Abdallah Aljamal was killed by the IDF amid its dramatic rescue mission which took place in Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip.  

Abdallah Aljamal, who was also a spokesman for the Hamas-run labour ministry, was killed by the special forces soldiers who entered his home in central Gaza to rescue hostages Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andri Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, said the Israeli military. 

Taking to X, the IDF wrote, “‘Journalist’ Abdallah Aljamal was a Hamas terrorist holding Almog, Andrey and Shlomi hostage in his family’s home in Nuseirat. No press vest can make him innocent of the crimes he has committed. @AlJazeera what’s this terrorist doing on your website?” 

The IDF further alleged on Sunday (June 9) that the hostages were held by Aljamal inside his family home.

“This is further proof that the Hamas terrorist organization uses the civilian population as a human shield,” said the IDF, in a statement.

Aljamal has been listed by Al Jazeera as an author on its website and he reportedly wrote at least one article for the media organisation. 

However, Jerusalem bureau chief of the now-closed Al Jazeera office Omar al-Walid said that Aljamal was not working for Al Jazeera, as per the Times of Israel.

“This man is not from Al Jazeera, and he did not work for Al Jazeera at all, and he is not listed as working for Al Jazeera neither now nor in the past,” said al-Walid.

“We do not know him, and all the rumours that have been spread are empty of content and not true at all,” he added. 

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The Arabic-language news network further stated that they would sue those who are spreading false rumours regarding connections between al-Walid and Al-Jazeera, reported Times of Israel reported.

Imran Khan, who is a senior correspondent on Al Jazeera’s English channel, stated on Instagram that Aljamal worked as a freelancer in the past.

“The individual in question who was killed in the raid along with his family was, at one point, a freelance journalist. He has never worked for Al Jazeera Arabic or English,” Khan wrote. 

(With inputs from agencies)