GAZA, (PIC)
The stories shared by recently released Gazan detainees from Israeli prisons offer only a glimpse into the horrifying reality that continues to unfold, revealing a level of brutality that shocks the conscience of humanity. As more detainees emerge from the brink of death, it becomes clear that entering these prisons is like a death sentence, while surviving them is akin to being reborn. However, the true tragedy lies in the fact that these stories expose an increasing level of moral degradation and sadism in the metho ds of torture and crime, all while the international community remains silent.
Global silence despite UN reports
Even the reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which document the terrifying crimes related to detentions from October 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024, have yet to stir the global conscience to act against these violations. The report confirms that Israel has committed severe violations in the context of these detentions, including violations of the right to life, freedom, and freedom from torture and other cruel treatment. It also highlights instances of arbitrary detention, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, which could amount to war crimes.
The UN report also points out that the torture and inhumane treatment faced by Palestinian prisoners and detainees from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, targeted all groups without exception. This includes men, women, children, the elderly, as well as doctors, journalists, and human rights defenders. These abuses continued from the moment of arrest until release, if release was even granted.
The report discusses Israel’s systematic policy of conducting daily mass arbitrary arrests of Palestinians, justified by laws that violate international law. These include Military Order 1651 of 2010 and the 2002 Unlawful Combatants Law and its amendments, which allow Israeli authorities to detain prisoners or detainees indefinitely without charge, depriving them of basic fair trial guarantees, and preventing them from seeing the evidence against them, which is often kept secret under the pretext of state security. Consequently, detainees and their lawyers are not informed of the charges or reasons for detention, undermining any effective right to challenge the detention.
Testimonies of torture
Palestinian prisoners released by Israel on Thursday (1/8/2024) shared horrific testimonies about the different methods of torture they were subjected to in prison after being detained from Gaza. At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, they described enduring brutal torture, starvation, electric shocks, and dog attacks.
One released prisoner, Ahmed Ahmed, said, “We were detained at the Kerem Shalom crossing (in the south), where our eyes were blindfolded, and the rounds of torture began. We were beaten, starved, and tortured in ways we could never have imagined.” Ahmed, who was detained for 46 days and transferred between Ofer, Negev, and another prison in Jerusalem, added, “The army forced us to sit in a crouched position, blindfolded, and prohibited us from moving or speaking to anyone.”
During interrogation sessions, he said, “They asked us about resistance tunnels, accused us of being members of Hamas, and threatened to kill us if we didn’t talk. Some couldn’t endure the torture and confessed to things they didn’t do just to stop the pain.”
Another detainee, Ibrahim Salem, who was arrested from Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of Gaza on December 11, said he was subjected to “torture, starvation, and harsh daily interrogations” during his detention. He said, “I left my wife and children injured in intensive care at Kamal Adwan Hospital and had no idea what happened to them.” He added, “I was transferred from one prison to another, and we were denied sleep, spending long hours sitting on our knees.”
Salem also described being forced to wear a military uniform belonging to the Al-Qassam Brigades and being taken to a tunnel, which he refused to enter. As punishment, he was severely tortured on an electric chair and beaten.
Mohammed Jaber, from northern Gaza, recounted, “I was arrested on November 17 at the Salah al-Din checkpoint and was taken to unknown locations while blindfolded and handcuffed. We were beaten severely for eight days while naked.” He added, “I sustained injuries, had a toenail removed, and received no medical treatment, losing 40 kilograms of weight.” Jaber, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, said, “My health condition was dire, and I received only minimal treatment.”
The world can no longer ignore Israel’s crimes
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has called on all countries and international institutions to intervene immediately and effectively to end the systematic and widespread crimes of torture and other serious violations committed by Israel against Palestinian prisoners and detainees, especially those from Gaza.
In a press statement, the Euro-Med emphasized that the prohibition of these crimes, particularly torture, and the need to punish perpetrators, are international obligations binding on all states without exception.
The human rights group added that despite the growing evidence of Israel’s crimes and the continuous reporting by various UN bodies and international and national human rights institutions, the international community remains silent, allowing Israel to continue committing these crimes, protecting the perpetrators, and ensuring their impunity. This silence also denies the victims their basic rights and disregards their human dignity.
The Euro-Med stressed that the world can no longer turn a blind eye to Israel’s crimes of torture, rape, sexual violence, and inhumane treatment against Palestinians. Otherwise, these countries fail to fulfill their international obligations or might be complicit in the crimes committed by Israel against Palestinian prisoners and detainees. In either case, the victims have the right to hold these countries, individuals, and relevant decision-makers accountable.
Release of 64 detainees
Israel released a couple of days ago 64 Palestinians who were detained from Gaza during its ongoing ground operations since October 7. Israel also released two women from Gaza who had been detained while accompanying patients receiving treatment in Israel.
According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, 22 of the released prisoners were taken to the hospital for treatment, while the others were reunited with their families.
