Palestinians urge Israel for information on detained Gazans
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Palestinian authorities have called upon the Israeli military to provide information about more than 100 individuals reportedly detained during Israel's recent assault on Gaza.
Qaddura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Authority's commission for prisoners, revealed that Israeli officials had acknowledged making 105 arrests but had not disclosed any details regarding the fate or whereabouts of those detained, reported AFP.
Expressing concern over the lack of public disclosure, Fares stated, "We fear they may have been killed after being detained and interrogated," highlighting the urgency to ascertain the status of these individuals.
However, the Israeli military declined to comment on the issue when approached by AFP, stating it could not provide information at this stage.
Israel initiated a series of bombardments and a ground offensive in Gaza following attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, as reported by Israeli officials.
The extensive offensive has led to the death of nearly 15,000 individuals, mostly civilians, and resulted in the destruction of numerous homes, displacing around 1.7 million out of Gaza's 2.4 million inhabitants, according to the United Nations.
Reports from the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, indicated that Israeli forces detained individuals travelling from northern Gaza to southern Gaza along the Salah al-Din road during the Israeli operations and subsequent ceasefire enforced on November 24.
A Red Cross medical worker, Ramadan Hossu, recounted being strip-searched and handcuffed by Israeli forces after being detained on the Salah al-Din road, as shown in a video released by the organisation.
Sahar Awwad, a displaced Gaza resident, recounted the detention of her son Mohammed by Israeli soldiers while attempting to leave southern Gaza on November 12. Mohammed was reportedly released after nine days, during which he allegedly faced mistreatment.
OCHA documented instances of families being separated at an Israeli checkpoint on the Salah al-Din road, including a child who had to pass through the checkpoint unaccompanied following their father's arrest.