Photo: kazislam.kz.
The IDF has released evidence of systematic torture in Hamas-controlled prisons in the Gaza Strip. The footage, found at a Hamas base in the Jabaliya refugee camp, documents horrific footage shot between 2018 and 2020, capturing thousands of hours of interrogation, violence and torture of Palestinian prisoners. The published photos and videos show people with bags over their heads, chained to the floor or ceiling, and tortured by electric shocks. One of the rescued witnesses describes how the protests against the government in Gaza turned into horror and pain, TimeUkraineIsrael reports with reference to the Israeli publication Ynet.
Photo: IDF.
Years of suffering and hopelessness for prisoners
During a raid in March, Israeli forces captured video footage showing dozens of prisoners being held in conditions of severe torture. One of the eyewitnesses, Hamza Hawidi, told the UK’s Mail on Sunday about his own horrific experience of being arrested for participating in protests against the Gaza government. Khawidi, who was held in Jabaliya in 2019, said that he heard the screams of tortured compatriots in the next room. His laptop was confiscated by Hamas, and he was persecuted for having private conversations with his partner.
According to him, among the victims of torture were innocent people who were held for years without the possibility of defence or support from the outside. One of the victims was subjected to horrific torture: electric shocks used for two years did not reveal his guilt. After being tortured, he killed the Hamas officer who accused him – ironically, it was his own uncle.
Photo: IDF.
Hamas’ policy of intimidation and violence
The documents show how Hamas seeks to control the population through fear and violence. According to an Israeli reservist, Hamas systematically targets alleged collaborators with Israel. Many of the detainees were tortured, causing untold suffering, and their bodies were labelled as “traitors” after their deaths.
The reservist also noted that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar controls the full cycle of intimidation, from arrest to physical torture. The families of the deceased victims were not even allowed to properly say goodbye to the bodies of their loved ones.
Photo: IDF.
Testimonies of torture and the impact on life in Gaza
Journalists, activists and political opponents are at the centre of Hamas’ control. As one Palestinian says, he was forced to leave his family to save his life: “Hamas controls all aspects of our lives. They destroy families, destroy lives because of suspicion. For me, returning to Gaza is certain death.” The people who are subjected to such conditions are not heard, as Hamas closely controls the local media, preventing truthful information from leaking out.
Photo: IDF.
International reaction and testimonies of victims
While the shocking images and testimonies of prisoners have sparked international outrage, Gazans themselves remain defenceless against the system of terror imposed by Hamas. While the outside world often refers to Hamas as “freedom fighters”, the stories of the rescued victims paint a very different picture – one where the “fight” turns into repression against its own people, and where freedom of speech or the right to defence remains a dream.
These horrific details of torture filmed in Gaza today, with 101 abductees still missing since the events of 7 October, are a sad reminder of the dangers of dictatorial regimes and the vulnerability of those left without rights.
