Al Wasat Media and Publishing Company
Launched in 2006, Felesteen is a Gaza-based Arabic-language daily newspaper that has, by several local estimates, become the most widely read print outlet in the Gaza Strip. Known for its detailed local reporting and ideological orientation, the paper has maintained a consistent editorial line that supports the de facto Hamas-led government in Gaza. Despite operating under increasingly difficult wartime conditions, Felesteen remains in publication as of June 2025, both in print and through its digital platform (felesteen.news).
Media assets
Publishing: Felesteen
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Felesteen is published by the Al-Wasat Media and Publishing Company, an entity reportedly established by a group of local entrepreneurs with ties to Hamas. The company oversees the paper’s editorial operations, staffing, and content management, but no transparent documentation of governance structures, board appointments, or public accountability mechanisms is available.
Felesteen has continued operations during the intense military escalations in Gaza throughout 2024–2025. Its editorial office and website have remained active despite infrastructure disruptions and security risks.
Source of funding and budget
No official or audited financial disclosures regarding Felesteen’s revenue streams have been made public. However, according to local journalists and regional media experts interviewed between December 2023 and April 2024, the newspaper is entirely financed by the Hamas administration in Gaza. While specific donor sources remain opaque, experts believe funding may be drawn from the broader financial networks that sustain Hamas-affiliated institutions.
Editorial independence
Felesteen’s editorial tone and content are closely aligned with the political and ideological positions of Hamas. The newspaper routinely amplifies the viewpoints of Gaza’s de facto government and avoids criticism of its policies. While the paper occasionally covers general civic issues, it offers no significant space for opposition or dissenting perspectives.
There is no legal framework or independent regulatory body in the Palestinian territories capable of validating or protecting editorial independence. In the case of Felesteen, no internal code of ethics, independent editorial board, or ombuds mechanism has been identified that might insulate it from political influence.
July 2025