Palestinian detainees released in Gaza describe abuse in Israeli custody
Sixty men returned to Khan Younis for medical checks, with some alleging beatings, shootings and harsh prison conditions.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Sixty Palestinian detainees released in Gaza were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on Monday, according to Al Jazeera, with several arriving injured, weakened or unable to walk. The transfer, handled by the International Committee of the Red Cross, drew relatives and medical workers to the hospital.
Al Jazeera reported that it was the largest such release since the first phase of the ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza took effect in October. Israel said the men were freed after questioning found they were “no longer security suspects,” according to the report.
Israeli rights group HaMoked says nearly 1,300 people from Gaza are being held by Israel as “unlawful combatants,” Al Jazeera reported. In this context, the term refers to the detention category Israel applies to those prisoners from Gaza cited by the rights group.
Why were Palestinian detainees released in Gaza?
Israel said the released men were no longer considered security suspects after interrogation, according to Al Jazeera. The report did not say whether any of the men had been charged or tried before being sent back to Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Moath al-Kahlout, reporting from Gaza, said the released detainees had been labourers in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory before October 7, 2023. He also said conditions in Gaza under Israel’s blockade had worsened to the point that many of the men would have difficulty finding food and shelter, slowing their recovery.
Several released men gave accounts of abuse in Israeli detention to Anadolu. Abdullah Kilani said he was detained in December 2024 on Salah al-Din Street in central Gaza and held for more than 18 months. He told Anadolu that he and another detainee were shot while in custody and described the conditions as extremely harsh.
Another released detainee, identified by Anadolu as Abu Ibrahim, said prisoners were made to sit on bare concrete or iron slabs. He said guards injured him by striking him with rifle butts, and that elderly prisoners and younger men were treated the same.
Mohammed Jabr al-Majdalawi, 43, told Anadolu he had been detained for one year and nine months. He said he learned of his release only when he encountered Red Cross staff for the transfer, and urged international bodies to act on behalf of those still held.
What have rights groups said about Israeli detention conditions?
Al Jazeera reported that the men had been held in facilities including Ofer, Negev and Sde Teiman. Palestinian and Israeli rights groups have documented beatings, medical neglect, food deprivation, prolonged restraint and deaths among Palestinian detainees, according to the report.
About 9,600 Palestinians are held by Israel, including some children, Al Jazeera reported. A United Nations commission of inquiry reported last month that Palestinian children arrested by Israel had faced torture, sexual abuse and other mistreatment.
The ICRC says it has not been able to reach Palestinians held in Israeli detention since October 2023, according to Al Jazeera. The organization has repeated its call for access so it can locate detainees and assess prison conditions.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.