Reporter detained by Israeli troops

Journalist Mohammed Daraghmeh, who reports on events in the West Bank for The Associated Press, was released late today after being detained by Israeli troops earlier in the day

Daraghmeh and other men in his apartment building in the West Bank city of Nablus were handcuffed and taken away by Israeli troops during a morning arrest sweep, said Daraghmeh’s wife, Mervat.

Daraghmeh, 38, has covered the northern West Bank for AP since 1996. He also works for the Palestinian daily al-Ayam.

Israeli military spokesman Rami Mardor said that Daraghmeh was released late today. However, he had not contacted his family.

AP had protested Daraghmeh’s detention and demanded his release.

Dan Seaman, director of Israel’s Government Press Office, said in response that ‘‘there’s no immunity for journalists. He (Daraghmeh) is a Palestinian, and he was arrested like thousands of other Palestinians. He’ll be questioned, and if there’s no problem, he’ll be released’’.

The Israeli government revoked the press accreditations held by many Palestinian journalists working for the international media in January, making it more difficult for them to operate in areas where the Israeli army was present.

The Foreign Press Association in Israel issued a statement expressing ‘‘grave concern’’ at Daraghmeh’s detention.

‘‘We call on the authorities to expedite his release and, in general, to enable journalists to carry out their work,’’ it said.