DaysofPal- Recently-released Palestinian prisoners have spoken to Middle East Eye (MEE) about the harrowing experiences they endured while detained by Israeli occupation forces.
Their testimonies revealed a pattern of systematic abuse, including acts such as urinating on detainees, burying them alive, and denying medical care to the sick.
One chilling account describes how Israeli jailers would wrap Palestinian prisoners in shrouds and bury them alive, allowing just enough air to keep them conscious before repeating the process. This is among several methods of torture inflicted upon Palestinian detainees during their imprisonment.
“Treated Like Animals”
Mahmoud Ismail Abukhater, 41, recounted his ordeal after being detained in October 2024. He described how he and others were treated “like animals” from the moment of their arrest. Detainees were stripped down to boxers and thin white garments, forced to endure freezing nights without adequate protection. Soldiers subjected them to physical abuse, striking them with frozen water bottles and bottles filled with olives. They also poured urine over the prisoners’ faces and bodies.
Abukhater was later transferred to Sde Teiman military detention camp, where he remained handcuffed for nearly two months. Conditions there were brutal: detainees were forced to sit motionless from dawn until midnight, permitted bathroom breaks only sparingly, and compelled to shower in freezing water despite the harsh winter climate. Failure to comply resulted in immediate punishment.
One particularly cruel method involved simulating drowning or suffocation. Guards would place prisoners in shrouds connected to hoses with cameras inside, bury them in pits, and monitor their suffering. Just before death, they’d allow a small amount of air to revive the victims, only to repeat the cycle.
Torture Leading to Death
Among the most disturbing accounts is that of Musaab Haniyeh, nephew of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Despite sustaining severe injuries and developing infections so grave that worms emerged from his wounds, Musaab received no medical attention. By the time of his death in January at Ofer Prison, he had lost over half his body weight due to neglect and torture.
Psychological Manipulation Before Release
Before being freed as part of the sixth batch of prisoners exchanged between Israel and Hamas, Abukhater and others were transferred to Negev Prison. Unaware of their impending release, they were suddenly provided with “real food” and treated superficially better. However, on the morning of their liberation, Israeli officers handed them shirts emblazoned with the Star of David and the slogan “We will never forget, and we will never forgive,” forcing them to wear these garments under threat of non-release. Upon returning to Gaza, the prisoners burned the clothes.
Age No Barrier to Abuse
Ibrahim Abdulrazzaq al-Majdalawi, 63, echoed similar stories of mistreatment. Despite his age, he faced relentless verbal abuse and beatings from young Israeli soldiers. At Sde Teiman, he witnessed firsthand the neglect of ill prisoners, including one diabetic man who was left critically unattended until near-death before receiving minimal care. Even then, threats and humiliation continued.
Another elderly detainee, a 62-year-old resident of northern Gaza, suffered repeated fainting spells during his three-month captivity due to pre-existing health conditions. Each time he collapsed, guards revived him with cold water only to resume abusing him once he regained consciousness. He was also forced into excruciating seated positions for up to 19 hours daily, enduring violent wake-up calls each morning.
Aftermath of Torture
The psychological toll of such treatment is evident among the released prisoners. Relatives report significant trauma, noting behavioral changes akin to those seen in children—fearfulness and anger triggered by minor stimuli. One family now treats their loved one with extreme caution, recognizing the profound impact of his ordeal.
These testimonies paint a grim picture of life inside Israeli prisons for Palestinian detainees, highlighting systemic cruelty and dehumanization. As more prisoners are freed, further accounts may emerge, shedding light on the extent of the abuses committed behind closed doors.
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