GENEVA: A UN human rights official accused Israel on Friday of mistreating Palestinian detainees in Gaza, saying he had met men who had described being held for weeks, beaten and blindfolded, with some released in diapers.
Ajith Sunghay, a UN human rights official in Gaza, told reporters it was not clear exactly how many men had been detained by Israel since it began its military operation in the Palestinian enclave in response to the deadly assault by Hamas on Oct. 7, but he said the number ran into the thousands.
“These are men who were detained by the Israeli security forces in unknown locations for between 30 to 55 days,” Sunghay told reporters in Geneva by video link from Gaza.
He said he had just met released detainees in the besieged enclave. “There are reports of men who are subsequently released, but only in diapers without any adequate clothing in this cold weather,” he added.
Israel’s military said it was detaining and questioning suspects involved in militant activity — without disclosing a number — as part of its operations in combat areas in Gaza.
Detainees were “treated in accordance with international law” and those found not to be involved in the fighting were released, the Israeli military’s Spokesperson’s Unit said.
It said suspects were required to hand over their clothes so that they can be searched “to ensure that they are not concealing explosive vests or other weaponry” and that detainees were given back their clothes when possible.”
Asked to elaborate on why some of the released detainees wore diapers, Sunghay said: “So we’re not exactly sure why they were put in diapers and sent out but they were clearly visibly shocked and even shaken when I met them.”
Israeli TV broadcast footage in December of Palestinian men stripped to their underwear in Gaza. The images that also circulated on social media drew condemnation from Palestinian, Arab and Muslim officials.
At the time, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy said the images showed “military-age men who were discovered in areas that civilians were supposed to have evacuated weeks ago.”
UN rights official says Gaza detainees humiliated, dressed in diapers
https://arab.news/5hywc
UN rights official says Gaza detainees humiliated, dressed in diapers
- Ajith Sunghay, a UN human rights official in Gaza, told reporters it was not clear exactly how many men had been detained by Israel
- “There are reports of men who are subsequently released, but only in diapers without any adequate clothing”
Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy
- Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice
RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of a senior commander.
The attack in the Jaoula area of Lahj governorate targeted vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, who heads the second division of the Giants Forces.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said there were numerous deaths injuries and called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all human and moral values.”
He said the coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, will continue coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the security of citizens and maintain stability, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He called for people to work with the Yemeni government and military authorities to confront any sabotage attempts or terrorist operations targeting the security and stability of liberated governorates.
Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice.
