Free Mustafa Ayyash: a Palestinian journalist and political prisoner in European jails

33-year-old Palestinian journalist Mustafa Ayyash, founder of Gaza Now, was arrested at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands on 19 September at Austria’s request.

He is now detained in a Dutch prison — accused of no violent crime. Ayyash is fighting extradition to Austria.

Mustafa Ayyash’s Gaza Now — accused by Israel of “Hamas ties” for telling the truth

Gaza Now, founded in 2009, is one of Gaza’s most-watched media outlets. It provides 24-hour coverage and reaches millions worldwide. The platform exposes Israeli war crimes and human rights abuses — making it an obvious target for the occupation.

A source close to Ayyash, who requested anonymity, shared new details with the Canary about his case.

In November 2023, Israel bombed his family home in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp. The six-storey house was flattened by three missiles — without warning.

The bombing completely flattened the house and resulted in the deaths of all Ayyash’s family members who were inside at the time- his mother, father, three brothers, three sisters, and seven nephews and nieces. 40 people in total.

Israeli regime threatens and kills Palestinian journalists on a daily basis.

According to the Canary’s source, Mustapha Ayyash had received direct threats from Israeli occupation forces. Targeting journalists is routine practice for Israel, which kills them — and their families — to silence Gaza’s truth-tellers. It is very likely that Israel deliberately target Ayyash’s house.

Israel initially believed it had killed him. Even the UN reported his “death.” Fearing for his life, Ayyash fled and was granted asylum in Austria.

UK and US sanctions made Ayyash fear for his life

In March 2024, the UK and US sanctioned Ayyash, claiming he funds Gaza Now which, in turn, ‘promotes Hamas and the Islamic Jihad’.

They accused his fundraising for civilians in Gaza of “benefitting Hamas.” Ayyash denies all charges and calls them deliberate misinformation.

A source told The Canary these sanctions froze his assets, restricted travel, and made him “constantly fearful he’d be killed.”

Ayyash’s lawyer, Frederieke Dölle, said:

“There is a pattern, unfortunately, where Palestinian journalists face fake allegations of Hamas links. It’s something to be very worried about, and it’s important they are protected.”

Soon after the sanctions, Austrian police raided Mustapha Ayyash’s home. They seized devices, deleted Gaza Now’s WhatsApp (300,000 followers) and Facebook pages (8 million).

Ayyash was not charged or arrested.

Austrian police caused permanent injury to Ayyash’s eight months pregnant wife. After the raid on his home, Mustafa and his family left Austria, because they did not feel safe any more in the country.

Dölle said police treated Ayyash and his eight-months-pregnant wife “very harshly.” His wife later partially lost her sight due to the violent search.

Ayyash travelled to the Netherlands to file a complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Austria’s conduct against him and his family. But as he passed through Schiphol Airport, he was arrested. Austria had submitted a European Arrest Warrant.

Mustapha Ayyash’s lawyer: Arrest warrant “very vague”

Dölle explained that Ayyash’s extradition hearing on 11 November is “a special case.”

“He’s accused of asking for donations for Gaza that allegedly reached Hamas — but there’s no detail: no when, how, or where. Even with a European arrest warrant, you must be specific.”

She warned many journalists are branded Hamas supporters “without any evidence” — and suspects Israeli involvement behind the request.

Ayyash may be made to go to Austria- which must be within 10 days of the judgement. But Dutch judges could also deny his extradition, or say they need more time and more information from the Austrian authorities.

If extradited, Ayyash could be sent to Austria within 10 days of the ruling. Dutch judges could also delay or deny the request, demanding more details from Austria.

Although Dölle  hopes the Dutch authorities do not comply, and the Dutch judge denies the extradition request, she knows this will be extremely difficult, because Austria is a European Union country.

There’s no Israeli extradition request yet. But Austria is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights — meaning it shouldn’t transfer him to Israel. Still, Dölle warns the risk cannot be ruled out.

If this happens, Ayyash’s life would be in extreme danger, as the Israeli regime specifically targets journalists. 

Since October 2023, Israel has killed more journalists in Gaza than were killed in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan combined.

His physical and mental health very fragile

Dölle told the Canary that Ayyash is severely traumatised. He lost his family to an airstrike — and now sits in a cell for a crime he didn’t commit. Mustapha is extremely frightened, and doesn’t know when he will be released. He has self-harmed and attempted suicide.

Mustapha is denied family visits, even from his brother in the Netherlands.

A source told The Canary he’s been beaten and tortured, and “suffered greatly.” Ayyash ended a 15-day hunger strike, but his physical and mental health continues to deteriorate. He doesn’t have access to regular medical checkups and even his lawyer visits are sparse and restricted.

Our government’s collusion with a regime that kills journalists and commits crimes against humanity must stop now

Ayyash’s case shatters the myth that Western democracies care about press freedom or human rights.

Israel — whose leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court — continues to evade accountability, silence dissent, and imprison and kill journalists with impunity. Its track record shows a clear disregard for the rule of law and truth.

By enabling Israel’s persecution, our governments betray the values they preach.

We must demand an end to this collusion that punishes truth-telling. That suppresses critical journalism and stops justice. Mustafa Ayyash’s ordeal is a warning — when journalists are criminalised, democracy dies with them. Defending him means defending the right to expose power, even when the powerful want their crimes buried.

Featured image via the Canary