The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has released a report detailing the graphic scenes of physical abuse suffered by Gazans in Israeli detention. According to testimonies gathered by UN workers, Palestinian detainees described horrific treatment including being forced to sit on their knees for hours with their hands tied, deprived of food and water, and even being urinated on.
The report also highlighted instances of detainees being beaten with metal bars, guns, and boots, as well as being attacked by dogs and forced into cages. While the New York Times could not independently verify these accounts, they matched similar stories shared by released detainees and their relatives.
Israeli forces have arrested thousands of Gazans during their campaign against Hamas, with detainees ranging from suspected Hamas members to women, children, and older individuals. The Israeli military and Prime Minister’s office did not respond to the report, but have previously stated that detainees are held according to the law and their basic rights are respected.
UNRWA staff gathered testimonies from over 100 released Gazans, many of whom showed signs of trauma and ill-treatment. The detainees were subjected to beatings, deprivation of basic necessities, and even threats to their families if they did not provide information to Israeli officers.
Some detainees reported being sexually abused, harassed, and forced to strip in front of male officers, raising concerns of sexual violence. The Israeli military stated that mistreatment of detainees is prohibited and all complaints are reviewed, with medical care readily available.
UNRWA itself has faced scrutiny after accusations of harboring Hamas members, leading to the firing of staff members accused of affiliation with the group. Investigations have been launched into these allegations, as well as into the mistreatment of UNRWA staff members while in Israeli detention.
The report sheds light on the harsh realities faced by Gazans in Israeli detention and raises questions about the treatment of detainees and the role of humanitarian agencies in conflict zones.
