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Released Gaza detainees recount torture experience under IOF custody

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Dec 2023 22:12
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"They (Israeli troops) tied our hands behind our backs for two days," one of the freed Palestinians said.

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 (AP Photo)

Detainees held by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the Gaza Strip have reportedly experienced torture, as stated by two released detainees and a medic on Sunday.

They were among the hundreds of detainees held by the IOF during the ongoing ground offensive in Gaza.

Marwan al-Hams, hospital director in the southern city of Rafah, told AFP that about 20 men released from Israeli custody "have bruises and marks of blows on their bodies."

He added that the freed Palestinians were admitted to Al-Najjar Hospital upon their release.

"While detained, the suspects are given sufficient food and water and treated according to protocol," the IOF told AFP in a statement.

Nayef Ali, aged 22, reported being apprehended in the eastern Zaitun suburb of Gaza City, and then subsequently transferred to an Israeli detention facility. He displayed cuts on his wrists and other parts of his body as evidence of his mistreatment.

"They (Israeli troops) tied our hands behind our backs for two days," he said.

"We were not allowed to eat or drink, neither were we allowed to use the toilet," he added. "There were only beatings and beatings."

Ali mentioned that the detainees were placed in an area along the border with the occupied territories where the conditions were described as "freezing cold."

"They threw cold water on us before transferring us to a prison, where it was again torture and beatings."

Khamis al-Bardini, aged 55, additionally claimed to have experienced torture at the hands of Israeli soldiers, asserting that they subjected detainees to "cold water poured on our heads through the night" coupled with "beatings during the day."

In recent weeks, the IOF has come under international criticism following the circulation of viral footage depicting detainees stripped down to their underwear, blindfolded, and with their hands tied behind their backs.