About 50 men kneel blindfolded in the desert sand. Most people just wear underpants. Israeli soldiers in full gear walk back and forth between them. An image that is said to come from the northern Gaza Strip and is circulating on social media is currently raising many questions. Similar images, some of which could not be verified, show half-naked, tied men on the loading ramp of a military vehicle. What we know about the recordings – and what we don’t.
Who does the picture show?
The Israeli army initially did not comment on the recording, which CNN and BCC have verified. Meanwhile, Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy has confirmed that these were prisoners who were arrested in the Hamas strongholds of Jabalia and Shejaija in the northern Gaza Strip. These are “men of military age” who were picked up in areas that were supposed to be evacuated weeks ago. These are areas where the Israeli army is in “hand-to-hand combat” with Hamas, CNN quotes Levy.
According to CNN research, at least some of those arrested in the picture have surrendered and have no connection to militant groups in the Gaza Strip. The human rights organization Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, which is disseminating the images, also reports that dozens of civilians are among those held. “Doctors, academics, journalists and older men” are also said to be affected. According to research by the British BBC, some of the men have already been released. An anonymous source claims to BBC that At least one UN aid worker was among those arrested.
Why are the men half naked?
Since the army assumes that there are no civilians left in the northern Gaza Strip after the numerous evacuation calls, it suspects the men of being part of Hamas. An Israeli military spokesman told CNN that the prisoners must undress so soldiers can see whether the men have weapons or explosives on them. They would then be interrogated.
Who took the photos?
The images were published by the Geneva-based human rights organization Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. However, it is still unclear who made them. The Israeli army, which has been providing information about the fight against terrorists on Initially, the recordings, which CNN and BCC have verified according to their reports, were only indirectly commented on by the Israeli side.
What reactions are there to the pictures?
The radical Islamic Hamas reacts with sharp criticism and speaks of “heinous crimes against innocent civilians.” Exiled Hamas representative Issat El-Reshiq called on human rights organizations to intervene and work for the men’s release. However, given the horrific crimes that Hamas committed against civilians during its October 7 attack on Israel, these words seem cynical.
The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern and appealed for the men to be treated humanely and with dignity. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian accused Israel of barbarism on the short message service X.
How do you see the images in Israel?
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz interpreted the images on Thursday as more of a success for the army: many terrorists had been arrested and the fight against the radical Islamic Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, was progressing.