Hamas has strongly criticized the treatment of approximately 100 detainees by Israeli forces in northern Gaza, describing it as an act of revenge and a crime against defenseless civilians. Disturbing images and videos circulated on social media and confirmed by the Israeli army show the Palestinian men being stripped to their underwear, blindfolded, and forced to kneel on the street. The detainees, with their heads bowed, were guarded by Israeli troops. The release of these images has drawn widespread condemnation.
According to Alan Fisher, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, the treatment of the detainees echoes the region’s history, where stripped men are taken to unknown locations. Many of the detainees were recognized by community members and their families, including a student, a local store owner, and a journalist. In a shocking statement, Shawan Jabarin, director of the Al-Haq human rights organization, compared the treatment to that of detainees and prisoners of war during World War II, calling it inhumane, amounting to torture, and a war crime.
Israeli media reported that some of the images showed suspected Hamas fighters who had surrendered to Israeli forces. However, Imran Khan, reporting from Tel Aviv, later confirmed that some of the Palestinians detained in the incident were released. Family members of one of the detainees, who was a shopkeeper with no ties to Hamas, have attested to his innocence. Khan noted that the Israeli army’s response to the images has been unapologetic, indicating that they are unconcerned about international criticism or human rights groups.
Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army spokesperson, explained that during the ongoing fighting, they investigate and detain individuals linked to Hamas, including those who come out of tunnels or houses. He did not directly address the images but mentioned that hundreds of suspects have been interrogated, with many surrendering in the past 24 hours. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stated that the men were “arbitrarily arrested” in the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli forces surrounded two shelters for days. The detainees were taken from schools affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Ahmed Bedier, president of the United Voices for America civic engagement group, described the images as “horrific” and a form of psychological warfare. He argued that the Israeli army’s actions aim to humiliate and break the Palestinian people, making them feel unsafe even in shelters. The New Arab reported that its correspondent, Diaa al-Kahlout, was among those detained and taken to an unknown location. The outlet called on the international community, journalists’ rights defenders, and human rights organizations to denounce the assault against journalists and ensure their release and protection.
Hamas issued a statement condemning the stripping of the men and called for international human rights groups to investigate the incident. They characterized the act as a Zionist crime seeking revenge against defenseless civilians due to the blows suffered by Israeli soldiers and officers at the hands of Palestinian resistance fighters. The statement held the Israeli occupation responsible for the lives and safety of the detainees and called for intervention from human rights and humanitarian institutions.
Alan Fisher emphasized that the treatment of prisoners of war in this manner and the publication of their pictures would be a violation of international law. He also expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the detainees’ location and what may happen to them. The images and videos were captured from the perspective of Israeli troops and depict the detainees kneeling in rows, guarded by soldiers, and lined up in various locations. The last video shows the detainees packed into the back of moving army trucks.
Israel has stated that it has detained and interrogated hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. In response to these attacks, Israel launched a massive air and ground offensive on the enclave. The authorities in Gaza report that over 17,100 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, while Israel’s death toll stands at approximately 1,150. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation.
