Hebron University professor released by Israel, claims Al-Shabaka

by Piyush Mathur

Israeli authorities have released Dr. Belal Shobaki, the head of Hebron University’s political science department and a member of the US-based think tank and policy network, Al-Shabaka.

This is a screenshot of a post made by Al-Shabaka on X on June 8, 2026. (Screenshot credit: Thoughtfox)

Al-Shabaka shared the news of Shobaki’s release on X on June 8, 2026; he had been forcibly taken away by Israeli security forces a day prior, according to Arab and Iranian media reports as well as a public statement circulated by Al-Shabaka.

Thoughtfox had previously reported the above development; this is an update.

In its statement accompanying the news regarding Shobaki’s release, Al-Shabaka expressed relief but sustained its prior ‘condemnation of his kidnapping’ as well as ‘broader statement on Israel’s systematic assault on Palestinian education.’

Meanwhile, on June 9, the Qatar-funded news outlet Al-Jazeera released its video report, Bodies of Evidence, on Israel’s so-called ‘detention system’.

For the Thoughtfox article on Shobaki’s reported abduction by Israeli forces, click here.