60 Released Gaza Detainees Return Home, Allege Abuse During Israeli Detention

Sixty Palestinian detainees released from Israeli custody have returned to the Gaza Strip, arriving at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in poor physical condition, with several requiring wheelchairs and immediate medical care.

The group was transferred by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where they were welcomed by relatives and examined by medical personnel. The release is reported to be the largest involving Gaza detainees since the first phase of the ceasefire that began in October.

Several of the freed men alleged they endured harsh treatment while in detention, including physical abuse, inadequate food, poor medical care, and prolonged confinement. Some said they were beaten, while others described difficult living conditions during their imprisonment.

One former detainee, Abdullah Kilani, said he had been detained since December 2024 and described his time in custody as extremely difficult. Another released prisoner, identified as Abu Ibrahim, claimed detainees were forced to sit on concrete or metal surfaces for extended periods and alleged they were beaten by guards.

Mohammed Jabr al-Majdalawi, who said he spent nearly two years in detention, expressed relief at being released but voiced concern for those who remain in custody.

According to Israeli authorities, the men were released after security assessments concluded they no longer posed a security threat. Israeli rights group HaMoked estimates that nearly 1,300 Gazans remain detained under Israel's "unlawful combatants" law.

Human rights organizations have previously documented allegations of abuse in Israeli detention facilities, including beatings, medical neglect, food deprivation, and prolonged restraint. The International Committee of the Red Cross has repeatedly called for access to Palestinian detainees held since October 2023 to monitor their conditions.

The issue of detainee treatment remains a subject of international concern, with rights groups and United Nations bodies continuing to call for independent investigations into reported abuses.

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