BEIRUT, January 14, 2009 (MENASSAT) - A reporter and producer working for the Iranian Arabic-language satellite TV channel Al-Alam News Network in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are being held by the Israeli authorities, claims Iran’s Press TV.

Press TV claims Israeli forces arrested Al-Alam reporter Khezir Shahin and producer Mohammed Sarhan on Jan. 5, 2009 for ‘violating censorship laws and publicizing the launch of the Israeli ground offensive into the Gaza Strip before the military censor had cleared the information for publication’.

On Sunday, the Israeli Petah Tikva court reportedly extended the detention for the two Iranian journalists for two days.

“Although the court must weigh alternatives to (administrative) detention, in offences regarding threats to state security, any other alternative is impractical," judge Aaron Golds was quoted as saying by Press TV.

The Palestine Journalists Syndicate (PJS) has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of Shahin, reports IFEX.

Meanwhile, Press TV has also claimed that an Israeli rocket hit the offices of Press TV and Al-Alam in Gaza, injuring two people.

"Israeli forces have targeted the office of Press TV and the Iranian Arab-language satellite channel al-Alam in the Gaza Strip,” said Press TV in a statement.

"There were two people wounded in the Israeli attack," a Press TV correspondent added.

Press TV emphasized that the reporters working in the building had been ‘given safety assurances’ and that the building coordinates had been ‘handed to organizations responsible for the journalists’ safety, including the UN’.

The Press TV team said they received no warnings ahead of the Israeli strike.