Images from Gaza show Israeli soldiers detaining dozens of men stripped to underwear
There are several images of Israeli soldiers from recent weeks which appear to show Israeli soldiers detaining dozens of Palestinians in Gaza Strip who were either stripped to their underwear or fully naked. In most cases it appears that the men were detained in retaliation for protests against Israel’s military presence in the area.
The exact circumstances of the detentions are unclear, and human rights organisations have expressed concern about possible mistreatment and torture of detainees in conflict situations. In some of the photos, the men can be seen surrounded by Israeli soldiers who appear to be armed.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the detentions and it is not known if the men have been charged with any offence. However, the Israeli army has previously stated that it has the right to detain and arrest Palestinians in the area, as the Gaza Strip is regarded as an area of conflict and Israeli forces have the right to use “all necessary measures” to suppress any form of resistance.
The situation has been condemned by human rights organisations, who have urged for investigations into the matter and called on the Israeli government to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees and ensure that international standards of humane treatment are strictly adhered to.