Israeli security detains CNN Türk journalists on air

Israeli security forces detained a CNN Türk crew during a live broadcast in Tel Aviv, according to the channel’s website.

Reporter Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman were covering the latest events in the city when a security officer approached and attempted to block the camera by hand, causing the live feed to cut off. They were subsequently detained, and their current whereabouts are unknown.

The move by Israel prompted successive reactions. Head of the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate Burhanettin Duran stated on social media that Israel is once again carrying out an attack on the press aimed at hiding the truth.

“We are undertaking the necessary initiatives for the prompt release of our journalists and are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.

We are once again confronted with an attack targeting members of the press by Israel in an attempt to conceal the truth.

I have learned that CNN Türk reporter Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman have been detained in Israel.

We are undertaking the necessary initiatives…

— Burhanettin Duran (@burhanduran) March 3, 2026

At the same time, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, also expressed a strong reaction to the incident.

İsrail'de görevini yaparken haksız şekilde alıkonulan CNN Türk muhabiri Emrah Çakmak ve kameraman Halil Kahraman’a uygulanan hukuksuz müdahaleyi şiddetle kınıyoruz.

Basın hürriyetinin ve habercilik vazifesinin dokunulmazlığını bir kez daha kararlılıkla vurguluyor; iki…

— Abdulkadir URALOĞLU (@a_uraloglu) March 3, 2026

“We strongly condemn the unlawful detention in Israel of CNN Türk reporter Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman while performing their duties. We reiterate our firm commitment to press freedom and journalistic responsibility; we are closely monitoring the situation through all diplomatic channels to ensure the immediate release of our two colleagues,” Uraloğlu noted.

By Jeyhun Aghazada