A United Nations human rights official is calling for an end to the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli security forces in the Gaza Strip. The official, Ajith Sunghay, reported that Palestinian men were held by Israeli forces for between 30 to 55 days in unknown locations and were subjected to physical abuse. Sunghay met with some of the released detainees during his visit to Gaza and heard reports of mistreatment, such as men being released in diapers without adequate clothing.
Videos shared by the Israeli army showed hundreds of Palestinian men stripped to their underwear, sitting outdoors in the cold, sometimes blindfolded. Some videos also showed women and children. Freed prisoners reported being made to curse themselves and disparage Palestinian groups and political figures before being transferred to open-air detention facilities where they endured mistreatment.
Sunghay urged Israel to ensure that all detainees are treated in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. He also emphasized the need for those in detention to be either charged or released unless there are imperative security grounds for their continued detention.
Several prisoners released by Israeli forces in Gaza arrived at a hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, and accused the Israeli army of mistreatment, including threats and attacks.
During his visit to Rafah, Sunghay observed the desperate situation of the people living there and emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid. He described the environment as a “pressure cooker” given the terrible humanitarian situation, shortages, fear, and anger.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 24,762 people have been killed and 62,108 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since the current conflict began, while the death toll in Israel from a Hamas attack stands at 1,139.