Assault on female reporter for not wearing hijab sparks backlash in Gaza

A female reporter was recently insulted and physically assaulted for not wearing the Islamic headscarf, which renewed the debate about women’s rights in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Palestinian women wait to leave the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities, in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 17, 2021.
Palestinian women wait to leave the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities, in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 17, 2021. - Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images
entsarabujahal.jpg
Entsar Abu Jahal
@entsarabujahal

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Ministry of Interior and National Security in the Gaza Strip issued April 30 a statement about a complaint filed by reporter Riwa Murshid who was attacked by two members of a Hamas military unit — known as Hama al-Thaghour (Breach Defenders) — for not wearing the hijab in the Juhr al-Deek border area in central Gaza.

The ministry said Murshid failed to notify competent authorities before entering the border area, and did not show any card proving she was a reporter on an official mission.

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