22 August 2022; MEMO: The Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, will formally charge the leader of the Islamic Jihad movement in the occupied West Bank, Bassam Al-Saadi, the Israeli army said.
According to the army, the investigation into Al-Saadi has been completed and the Prosecutor has decided to charge him with membership in a "terror group", in reference to the Islamic Jihad movement, conducting operations for the group, incitement and "supporting terrorism".
Earlier on Sunday, a military court extended Al-Saadi's detention for another five days until 25 August.
Al-Saadi and his defence team deny the "charges against him".
Remarking on the "incitement charge", a defence lawyer said the statements made by Al- Saadi and designated as "incitement" were political comments and not incitement against the Israeli authorities, adding that Al-Saadi was doing his job as a commentator on events and was not instigating against anyone.
Al-Saadi was arrested on 1 August by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. His arrest led Israel to launch a "preemptive" strike on the Gaza Strip killing 49 Palestinians including 17 children. On 16 August, the military court in Ofer Prison extended his detention for six additional days.
