Watan-Human Rights Watch has released a report on the Israeli abuse of thousands of Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip after their arrest and isolation from the outside world since October 7th of last year.
The organization stated in a press release that Israel subjected some workers to inhumane and degrading conditions, exposing them to ill-treatment. It added that thousands of others remain stranded in the occupied West Bank without legal status, vulnerable to arrest by Israeli authorities.
The report pointed out that some of them were interrogated about their alleged connections to the Al-Aqsa Intifada on October 7th or their knowledge of it.
Testimonies of Deadly Torture
Palestinian workers, later released, recounted to the organization the details of their torture and humiliation. One of them mentioned that Israeli authorities detained him at a checkpoint, blindfolded him, tightly bound his hands, and first transferred him to Ofer prison, then to an unknown location.
He stated, “There, they forced me to strip naked and took pictures of me. They brutally beat me while I was naked, and it was degrading. The worst part was when the dogs attacked me.”
He added, “I was blindfolded and shackled with metal cuffs. I didn’t know if someone was controlling the dogs or if they were left to attack me. I felt terrified.”
The man was interrogated and asked to identify his home on a map of Gaza, as well as specific individuals. He was released on November 3rd at the Kerem Shalom crossing, returning to Gaza.
Arrest at a Military Base
Another man reported that the Israeli police in Rahat (south) arrested him along with other workers from Gaza after the attacks on October 7th. They were taken to a military base in Uvdaqim.
He added that the occupying forces forced them to strip naked, stating, “We were completely naked. They handed us diapers to wear and thin white loincloths. We remained blindfolded and bound with cords on our hands and feet for 10 days. We kept asking about the reason for our detention. We received no response, only verbal assaults and death threats.”
He mentioned that he was beaten for hours, dragged on gravel with his face downward, tied to a wall or fence with his bound hands, and subjected to more beatings.
He said, “Every time I fell to the ground, I was forced to stand up, and again, I received more beatings.”
Another man working in Rahat stated that he was arrested with other workers and taken to the Rahat police station on October 9th or thereabouts. While blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs, he added, “The Israeli forces were constantly cursing us and threatening to kill us,” noting that they were not allowed to drink water or use the bathroom.