A photograph circulating online shows a blindfolded Palestinian man from Gaza stripped down to his underwear, lying face down on a cot while in Israeli military custody. His hands are tied behind his back, his right foot is bound to the corner of the cot, and a wooden rod is fastened along the back of his body from his foot up to his neck. His face is largely hidden from view.
Israel has confirmed the image is authentic and stated that what it shows does not reflect the values of its military. However, authorities have not disclosed the identity of the man or where he is being held. An inquiry has been launched, and the military said those found responsible “will be dealt with in accordance with the findings.”
The photo — originally posted to Instagram by an account that has since been deleted — had the words “good morning” written in Hebrew across the image.
The uncertainty surrounding the man’s identity has intensified the suffering of two Palestinian mothers, Rana Abu Nassar and Joudeh Al-Ghoul, each of whom is certain the man in the photo is her own son.
Abu Nassar said she recognized the man immediately when she first saw the image two days ago. “I know the details of his body. He has swelling in his foot and scars on his leg — the same swelling on his left leg I saw in the picture,” she said. She believes the man is her son Osama, whom she has not seen or heard from since his arrest in March near Israel’s armistice line with Hamas militants.
Osama’s detention on March 19 drew international attention because his 1-year-old child was taken into custody alongside him. The baby was released the same day, and his family reported the child had cigarette burn marks on his legs. Israel’s military denied those allegations, saying the marks came from warning shots troops fired to stop Osama from approaching what is known as the “Yellow Line” — an area where Israeli forces regularly open fire on Palestinians approaching. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the details of his arrest.
Abu Nassar also noted that her son has mental health issues and said a “normal person would not take his son to that area.”
Al-Ghoul, the second mother, said her son Amin was detained in November 2023 while attempting to travel from southern Gaza to the northern part of the territory. She, too, said she knew the moment she saw the image that it was her child.
“It’s him — his hair and chin. He is my son. A mother’s heart can recognise her son. I hugged the mobile phone and started crying,” she said from a displaced persons camp in Gaza City. “He is my son, my soul, my life.”
Approximately 1,200 Palestinians from Gaza are currently held in Israel under the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law, a measure that permits indefinite detention of individuals believed to have taken part directly or indirectly in hostile acts.
Amani Sarahneh of the Palestinian Prisoners Society said her organization has submitted both men’s names to the Israeli military since the photo emerged, in an effort to arrange legal visits. “Visits do take place, but with great difficulty. The coordination process takes a very long time,” Sarahneh said.
