Captured and detained Palestinians sit on a street in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, as Israeli soldiers stand guard, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas this handout image obtained by Reuters on December 8, 2023.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, a senior Hamas official has accused Israeli forces of committing a “heinous crime against innocent civilians.” Images circulated on social media depict detained Palestinian men stripped to their underwear in Gaza. Izzat El-Reshiq, in exile abroad, urged international human rights organizations to intervene, shedding light on the incident and securing the release of the men.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed concern over the images, emphasizing the need for humane treatment of detainees in accordance with international humanitarian law. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian condemned Israel, denouncing its “barbarity in the treatment of innocent captives and citizens.”
Israeli TV broadcast footage of what it claims are captured Hamas fighters, stripped down and seated in a Gaza City street. Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy defended the actions, stating that these individuals were found in Hamas strongholds after civilians were advised to evacuate the areas.
The photos depict more than 20 detainees kneeling on the pavement or in the street, with Israeli soldiers present. The detainees, semi-naked, were crammed into the back of a truck. Palestinians, recognizing relatives in the images, denied any affiliation with Hamas, with some identified as boys or youths.
Reshiq stated that the detainees were captured at a Gaza school used as a shelter amid Israeli bombardments. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi denounced the incident, claiming doctors and journalists were among the captured men. Hamas called on human rights organizations to intervene and hold Israeli forces accountable.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that its correspondent, Diaa Kahlout, was among the detainees, urging international condemnation. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for Kahlout’s release. Palestinians identified Beit Lahia as the location, an area warned for evacuation and besieged by Israeli tanks.
The ICRC emphasized the importance of treating all detainees with humanity and dignity, adhering to international humanitarian law. The incident drew strong condemnation, with descriptions of it as a “blatant attempt at the humiliation & degradation of Palestinian men.”
COMMENTS