Naseem al-Radee, a 33-year-old government employee from Beit Lahiya. He recently suffered a truly tragic experience which shows just how horrific the present conflict in Gaza has become. On December 9, 2023, Israeli soldiers arrested him at a school-turned-displacement shelter, marking the beginning of a 22-month journey through Israeli detention centers. His release on Monday, shared with 1,700 other Palestinian detainees, brought into focus the emotional and physical toll of his captivity.
During his time in detention, al-Radee went through horrendous conditions, including 100 days in an underground cell. His poignant reflections offer a glimpse into the inhumane conditions many detainees endure. During detention, in the harsh conditions of Nafha prison in the Negev desert, Al-Radee developed serious health consequences. Upon incarceration, he was at a weight of 93 kg. He exited at a mere 132 lbs, a clear sign of the toll death camp conditions took on his body.
Al-Radee’s condition worsened when a boot caused an eye injury, leading him to developing blurred vision soon after. Fellow inmates in the immigration detention facility described his treatment as torture. They testified that they witnessed instances of abuse and neglect.
“The signs of beating and torture were clearly visible on the prisoners’ bodies, such as bruises, fractures, wounds, marks from being dragged on the ground,” – Eyad Qaddih
The first thing al-Radee did upon being released was to attempt to call his wife to tell her the good news. He learned too late that her cell phone had been disconnected. There in prison, he received horrifying news. Sadly, she and all but one of her and her husband’s children had already been murdered. This truly exciting announcement came on the heels of truly devastating news that cast a pall over an otherwise celebratory occasion. His release coincided with his youngest daughter Saba’s third birthday on October 13.
Al-Radee had wanted to compensate for not being able to buy Saba her first birthday gift because the war started. Instead, he met the incomprehensible abyss of losing a child in her prime.
“I was very happy to be released because the date coincided with my youngest daughter Saba’s third birthday,” – Naseem al-Radee
The treatment of and conditions for Palestinian prisoners, particularly in Israeli prisons, has come under intense scrutiny. Accounts from former detainees indicate the existence of a systematic campaign of torture and mistreatment. Mohammed al-Asaliya, another former prisoner, described the psychological torture and physical abuse experienced by prisoners.
“They used teargas and rubber bullets to intimidate us, in addition to constant verbal abuse and insults,” – Mohammed al-Asaliya
Al-Asaliya explained other forms of torture used by guards, such as locking people in rooms where deafening music was blasted non-stop for days. These practices are representative of the inhumane, abusive conditions that numerous prisoners have described.
“There was an area they called ‘the disco’, where they played loud music nonstop for two days straight,” – Mohammed al-Asaliya
Tal Steiner, an advocate for prisoner rights, noted that the scale of torture and abuse has increased significantly since October 7. He blames this increase on the policies implemented by Israeli leaders.
“Generally, the amount and scale of torture and abuse in Israeli prisons and military camps has skyrocketed since 7 October,” – Tal Steiner
Even more disturbing is the reality that despite imprisoning al-Radee for over two years he was never charged with a crime. These scenarios call into question the legal structure under which detentions occur, and how those held without charges are treated.