Three Palestinian Brothers Describe Mistreatment by Israeli Soldiers in Gaza Strip
Three Palestinian brothers who were recently detained by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip have come forward to share their accounts of mistreatment during their captivity. Sobhi Yaseen and his brothers Sady and Ibrahim, along with other former detainees, claim that they were beaten, stripped to their underwear, burnt with cigarettes, and subjected to other forms of abuse.
The Yaseen brothers were among dozens of Palestinian men seeking shelter in a school in Rafah, southern Gaza, when they spoke to Reuters about their ordeal. While their claims cannot be independently verified, they are consistent with the testimonies of over 20 other former detainees who have chosen to remain anonymous.
In response to these allegations, the Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson’s office stated that the military was operating to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and rescue hostages held by the Palestinian militant group. They also asserted that detainees were treated in accordance with international law and that the requirement to hand over clothes was necessary to ensure they were not carrying weapons or explosives.
According to Sobhi Yaseen, he and his brothers were taken from their homes in the northern part of Gaza and held for up to two weeks at undisclosed locations, including a military barracks or camp. Sobhi recounted being beaten by four individuals after he was unable to climb onto a truck due to a pre-existing leg injury. He further described being taken to an open area where his captors subjected him to various forms of torture, such as burning him with cigarettes, spraying sand and water on him, and even urinating on him.
Sady and Ibrahim Yaseen provided similar accounts of mistreatment at the hands of Israeli soldiers. They also mentioned being separated from their families and held in detention for an extended period. The Yaseen brothers’ claims align with the UN human rights office’s report, which highlighted mass detentions, ill-treatment, and enforced disappearances of Palestinians in northern Gaza by the Israeli military.
The mistreatment of detainees in Gaza has sparked outrage among Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim officials. UN rights chief Volker Turk has labeled Hamas’ attack on October 7, Israel’s “collective punishment,” and “unlawful forcible evacuation” of civilians as war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s office, which has been investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2021, has called on both Israel and Hamas to respect the international rules of war.
The Yaseen brothers, who were not specifically accused of any wrongdoing by the Israeli military, were rounded up as part of group arrests carried out during Israel’s military operations in the region. Sady Yaseen recounted being placed with other detainees in a truck filled with garbage, where they were subjected to beatings. Many of the men showed visible scars and injuries on their wrists and bodies, indicating the mistreatment they endured.
Ibrahim Yaseen described being blindfolded and having his hands bound during his interrogation. He mentioned being deprived of sleep and forced to stand for hours as punishment. The captors also insulted the prisoners and prohibited them from talking or praying. Ibrahim displayed circular scars and scabs on his wrists as evidence of the abuse he suffered.
After their release, the Yaseen brothers were dropped off at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, where they had to walk several kilometers to reach Rafah. They joined the hundreds of thousands of displaced people who are now living in overcrowded buildings and tents.
The mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in the Gaza Strip is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. It is essential for independent investigations to be conducted to verify these claims and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The international community must work towards ensuring the protection and well-being of all civilians caught in the midst of conflict and advocate for the respect of human rights in the region.