Images from Gaza that have been released on social media are showing the latest evidence of the Israeli military’s detainment and treatment of Palestinians. The harrowing photos show dozens of men standing stripped to their underwear in a large group, surrounded by heavily armed soldiers.
This particular incident appears to have taken place on the morning of December 10th, in a fishing village in the southern strip of the Gaza area. Local residents report that the men pictured were rounded up after a large number of Israeli military personnel descended on the village in the early hours of the morning. In addition to the traditional army personnel, also apparently present were members of the Inidqam (Israel’s internal security force).
Eyewitnesses report that the men were stripped down to their underwear and held in the open, surrounded by heavily armed security forces. Local residents report that these tactics, whilst not unusual for parts of the Occupied Territories, were far more aggressive and intimidating than usual, with the men seemingly powerless to resist the Israeli forces.
The news of this particular incident has created outrage across the international community. People are calling on the United Nations and other world powers to more strongly condemn and challenge Israel’s policies in dealing with the Palestinians. Human rights organisations have already begun to raise their voices, in the hope that the international pressure will be significant enough that Israel will reconsider its approach to security within the Occupied Territories.
Unfortunately, while these powerful images may help influence the international debate around this complex issue, it is unlikely that the treatment of these men by the Israeli military will change in the near future.
