Martyred detainees bound, blindfolded, tortured, Gaza forensics finds
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Gaza’s forensic authorities report disturbing evidence that Palestinian detainees handed over by the Israeli occupation were tortured and executed.
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Bodies of unidentified Palestinians returned from "Israel" as part of the ceasefire deal are placed at a warehouse in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 (AP)
Most of the bodies of Palestinian martyrs returned from "Israel" were found blindfolded, with their hands and feet bound, Gaza’s forensic department spokesperson revealed.
These, he said, are compelling evidence that the Palestinian detainees were brutally tortured before being executed.
He urged all international organizations to urgently enter the Gaza Strip to document these violations by Israeli occupation forces and ensure accountability for crimes committed against Palestinians.
‘Israel’ hands over 30 Palestinian bodies under Gaza ceasefire deal
The findings came after "Israel" handed over to Gaza authorities the bodies of 30 Palestinian martyrs who had been held in its prisons, as part of the ongoing ceasefire exchange deal, the Palestinian news agency Safa reported on Friday.
The bodies were transferred to Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. This is reportedly the fifth handover of bodies, which brings the total count up to 225. Many bodies are said to bear traces of torture and execution, such as burns, bound hands, and eyes.
135 mutilated bodies
The Guardian reported last week that the Israeli entity had handed over to Gaza at least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians who were held at the notorious Israeli Sde Teiman military base. The facility is believed to be the site of summary executions, torture, and sexual abuse. The daily reported that photos of Sde Teiman detainees in its possession showed people blindfolded and handcuffed.
It is worth noting that the ceasefire agreement between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian movement Hamas took effect on October 10. On October 13, US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on the Gaza ceasefire.
Hamas released all 20 of the surviving captives who had been held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. In exchange, the Israeli occupation released 1,718 Palestinian detainees from Gaza and 250 others serving long prison sentences.
Israeli violations hinder recoveries, deliveries
The al-Qassam Brigades previously withheld the handover of the two bodies in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, citing heavy aerial bombardments on Gaza despite intensive efforts to recover the remains. The process required Egyptian equipment and machinery, albeit limited, to enter Gaza to assist with the retrieval.
The Brigades emphasized that ongoing Israeli military escalations and violations in Gaza are severely hindering search, excavation, and recovery efforts.
"Any Israeli escalation will delay the recovery of more bodies," the statement warned, stressing that the occupation's actions are obstructing progress in locating and identifying the remains of its deceased.
Read more: 'Israel' responsible for hindering captive body recovery: Exclusive
