Egypt arrests Israeli reporter trying to infiltrate border

An Israeli journalist was arrested in Egypt while trying to infiltrate into Israel with African migrants, Egyptian security and medical officials said on Monday. .

The Foreign Ministry reported that the journalist is currently being questioned by Egyptian forces, and efforts are being made to have him released via military channels. The journalist was in Egypt working on a report for Channel 10.

A medical official in the Egyptian city of Rafah said Monday the 30-year-old Yotam Feldman hurt his hand on the barbed wire fence along the border. They say he was treated and later discharged to security.

The detainee's father, Attorney Avigdor Feldman, told Ynet, "Someone sent me an SMS about it this morning." He said he was aware that his son was in Egypt, and that to the best of his knowledge, was meant to return to Israel next week.

The father said he did not know what his son was doing in Egypt, and that he last made contact with him on Sunday via text messages. "I hope to get a hold of him now," the father added.

The IDF reported that the journalist was arrested in the Nitzana area, after accidentally crossing into the Egyptian side of the border. "IDF elements, particularly in the Southern Command, are currently working to bring him back to Israel," the IDF said.

Military sources estimated that he would be released back into Israel within a number of hours.

Channel 10 said in response: "Yotam Feldman traveled to Egypt to prepare an investigative report on the trend of refugees infiltrating into Israel for the show 'Hamakor' (The Source). Channel 10 News is in contact with military and Foreign Ministry elements to bring him back to Israel safe and sound."

The Egyptian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the arrest.

Smugglers aid hundreds of African migrants to cross into Israel every year from Egypt.

Aviel Magnezi, Roni Sofer and Roee Nahmias contributed to this report