Qatari network says Palestinian journalist Abdallah Al-Jamal contributed only once in 2019 Israel says it freed three hostages from Al-Jamal’s home over the weekend Al Jazeera has dismissed allegations by Israel that one of the network’s journalists held hostages at his home in Gaza, and accused Israeli officials of trying to damage the news outlet’s reputation. “Al Jazeera Media Network confirms that Abdallah Al-Jamal has never worked with the network, but had contributed to an op-ed in 2019 and that these allegations are completely unfounded,” it said in a statement posted on X on Monday. The network said that “these allegations are a continuation of the process of slander and misinformation aimed at harming Al Jazeera’s reputation, professionalism, and independence.” Al Jazeera also called for accuracy before publishing such allegations, saying “the repetition of which has become ridiculous. Al Jazeera Media Network reserves all its legal rights to refute all these allegations.” Over the weekend, Israeli forces claimed to have killed Al-Jamal, a contributor to the US-based The Palestine Chronicle, along with his father and wife, in an operation to free three Israeli hostages held at his home in Nuseirat, central Gaza. Noa Argamani, a fourth hostage, was reportedly rescued from a separate building. Local authorities reported that 274 people died during the raid, which the Israelis described as a military response after coming under heavy fire. One special forces officer was killed in the operation. On social media, the Israeli army published a post claiming that Al-Jamal was a contributor to Al Jazeera, with the question: “What’s this terrorist doing on your website?” “Abdallah’s home held hostages, along with his family members,” the Israelis said. “This is further proof that the terrorist organization Hamas uses the civilian population as a human shield.” Dr. Itai Pessach, director of the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, said that none of the rescued hostages had serious physical injuries but were being treated for psychological trauma. Of the more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas and other militant groups in the Oct. 7 attacks, about 120 are believed to still be in Gaza, with 43 pronounced dead.