By Ingy Ashraf,
Ayman Lubbad, a human rights activist from Gaza, claims that Israeli soldiers tortured him during his detention in israeli prisons.
Lubbad, has been apart from his family for over a month, claims to have been subjected to torture during his detention, which is a common experience for Palestinians held in prisons by Israel.
He said to the Guardian that, “The Israeli soldiers photographed us inappropriately and compelled some of the detained boys to dance. They set fire to the homes of the Muqayd, Mahdi, Kahlot and Sorour families in front of us while we were seated in the street”
At least six Gaza detainees died and one has sustained serious injuries. Hundreds were tortured, with Lubbad stating that abuse included electric shocks, burns, stress positions, and deprivation of basic requirements.
Lubbad was handcuffed and blindfolded before being taken to a beach near Zikim kibbutz in northern Gaza. Israeli forces surrounded residents, who had to kneel and cover their eyes. He added, “Any attempt to change your position or remove the blindfold resulted in punishment, including standing with hands raised above the head for about three hours and beatings.”
Interrogations were carried out by an investigator who mocked his position of authority by declaring, “I’ll teach you your rights well in prison.”
He was transported again just five days after being told to leave his house. He claimed he was beaten in the ribs during the relocation and was in so much pain that he couldn’t sleep for two nights.
Lubbad, was interrogated in Jerusalem’s Jabal Mukaber neighborhood, demanding information about Hamas and Islamic Jihad. He was enraged and threatened to treat Gaza residents like dogs.
He said, “The investigator threatened me and cursed me with obscene words while hitting me in the face. He placed a blindfold over my eyes and went to drink tea or have lunch”, “On his return, he would ask me the same questions about Hamas and I would answer that I did not know any details and that my social relationships were very limited.”
In addition to at the end of the investigation, he was blindfolded and sent to sit outside in the severe cold. He was later assaulted and told that others had also been beaten. He stated, “After I could not bear the extreme cold, some soldiers came and beat me and told me ‘every dog has its day.'”
Lubbad was released without charge in Rafah, far from his relatives in Beit Lahem. He was unable to meet with his family due to Israel’s travel ban. He also heard that Israeli airstrike killed his brother.
