**Title: Photo of Abused Palestinian Detainee Causes Anguish for Two Gaza Mothers**
A leaked photograph depicting a Palestinian detainee in a distressing condition has sparked significant anguish among two mothers in Gaza. The image, which shows a man blindfolded, stripped to his underwear, and severely restrained while in Israeli custody, has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees and the emotional toll on their families.
The Israeli military has confirmed the authenticity of the photograph but has not disclosed the identity of the detainee or his location. This lack of information has deepened the distress experienced by the mothers, Rana Abu Nassar and Joudeh Al-Ghoul, both of whom believe the man in the image is their missing son.
The photograph was initially shared on Instagram by a user whose account has since been deleted. It featured the words “good morning” written in Hebrew over the image. In the screenshot, the detainee's hands are bound behind his back, and his right foot is tied to the bottom corner of a cot. A wooden rod is seen secured to his body, extending from his right foot to his neck, while his face remains largely obscured.
In response to the incident, an Israeli military spokesperson stated that an inquiry is underway, and those involved will be held accountable based on the findings. The spokesperson emphasized that the treatment depicted in the photo does not align with the military's values.
Rana Abu Nassar, whose son Osama was arrested in March, expressed her certainty that the man in the photograph is her child. “I know the details of his body. He has swelling in his foot and scars on his leg – the same swelling on his left leg I saw in the picture,” she explained. Osama's arrest gained international attention as he was taken into custody alongside his one-year-old child, who was later released with reported cigarette burn marks on his legs. Abu Nassar has stated that her son suffers from mental health issues and that a reasonable person would not bring a child to the area near the “Yellow Line,” where Israeli forces frequently engage in live fire against Palestinians.
The Israeli military has denied allegations of abuse against Osama's son, asserting that the marks on the child’s legs were a result of warning shots fired to deter Osama from approaching the “Yellow Line.”
Joudeh Al-Ghoul, whose son Ameen was arrested in November 2023 while attempting to travel from southern Gaza to the northern part of the enclave, also recognized the man in the photograph immediately. “It’s him – his hair and chin. He is my son. A mother’s heart can recognize her son. I hugged the mobile phone and started crying,” she recounted from a displaced persons camp in Gaza City, expressing her deep emotional connection to her child.
The plight of these families underscores a broader issue regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody. Currently, approximately 1,200 Palestinians from Gaza are held in Israel under the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law, a controversial regulation that permits the indefinite detention of individuals suspected of involvement in hostile actions, either directly or indirectly.
Amani Sarahneh from the Palestinian Prisoners Society noted that since the release of the image, the organization has submitted the names of both detainees to the military in an attempt to facilitate legal visits. However, she highlighted that such visits are challenging to arrange, with the coordination process often taking an extended period.
The emotional toll on families of detainees, combined with the ongoing tensions in the region, continues to highlight the complex and often painful realities faced by Palestinians in Gaza and their loved ones. As the inquiry into the incident proceeds, the families await answers regarding the fate of their sons and the conditions of their detention.