Shocking Testimonies from Palestinians in Gaza Released by the Occupation

The certificates of Gazan citizens released by the Israeli occupation forces after weeks of detention reveal the extent of torture, abuse, and violations they endured during their imprisonment.

Since October 7th of last year, the Israeli forces have arrested hundreds of Palestinian citizens during their ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip, releasing some of them after weeks or a few days, while the fate of many remains unknown.

Two Gazan Palestinians released a few days ago after spending over 50 days in detention, share shocking details of the conditions and interrogation methods used by the Israeli army, including torture and intimidation from the moment of arrest until their release.

The Palestinians, subjected to repeated and degrading naked inspections, reveal that Israeli soldiers employ a policy of terrorizing detainees and instilling fear of death from the first moment of arrest.

They describe multiple forms of torture, including severe beatings, collective punishment, and unleashing aggressive dogs towards them.

“Repeated Inspections”

She recounts undergoing several instances of naked inspections that involved physical harm, explaining, “In the first instance, they removed my clothes, restrained my hands, blindfolded me, and then conducted the inspection, demanding that I wear a second set of clothes.”

Initially, the detainees were placed in what Ghubn assumes to be a tent, and the army began questioning them about their affiliation with the “Hamas” movement.

“After the interrogation, the army threw me outside the place we were in, and I spent a very long time there. Then they carried me with something I didn’t know, transporting me from this place.”

Ghubn recalls that she and the detainees spent a whole night outdoors amid extremely cold weather on gravel-covered ground.

The next morning, the detainees were taken to another location where their clothes were removed, and they underwent inspection with a body-scanning machine, in addition to manual searches, she says.

For the third time and at a third (unknown) location, they were subjected to a humiliating naked inspection. Afterwards, the detainees were asked to wear clothes provided by the army.

In the final stages of their transfer, the detainees reached a place Ghubn believes to be a “chicken coop,” where they were forced to enter. They were then asked to undress once again.

This time, the detainees underwent an inspection using a body-scanning device and manual inspection that was harsh and painful, according to her.

“Release of Aggressive Dogs”

In turn, Palestinian Saber Abu Mahadi from Beit Lahia town states that he was arrested on December 10th and spent 52 days in detention.

He adds to Anadolu Agency, “The arrest occurred after besieging the shelter school where we were located, killing five displaced persons inside.”

Both men and women were subjected to naked inspections, except for underwear, and spent a night outdoors in freezing cold, with their hands bound, until they were transported to “Israel.”

Abu Mahadi and the other detainees at that time were subjected to beatings, insults, and the release of aggressive dogs to attack them at night, according to his account.

“Separation from Family”

Despite Abu Mahadi’s release a few days ago, he remains unaware of his family’s fate, separated by the arrest.

He says, “There is great suffering after the arrest. We don’t know anything about our families, whether they are alive or dead, whether they are in the north or the south. The fate is completely unknown.”

In contrast, Abu Mahadi’s family is unaware that their son “Saber” is still alive, as he mentioned. He adds, “One of our friends in the detention center, his family thought he was martyred due to hearing gunfire the moment he was arrested.”