Two Gaza mothers certain abused detainee in photo is their missing son

The disturbing image, originally posted on an Instagram account that has since been deleted, shows a man blindfolded, stripped to his underwear, and severely restrained. His hands are tied behind his back, his right foot is bound to the bottom corner of a cot, and a wooden rod is strapped along his back from foot to neck. His face is mostly obscured.

The Israeli military has confirmed the photo is genuine and said an inquiry is underway. A spokesperson stated that “those involved will be dealt with in accordance with the findings” and that the treatment depicted “does not align” with military values. However, the military has not identified the man or disclosed his location.

Rana Abu Nassar, mother of Osama Abu Nassar who was arrested in March near the so-called “Yellow Line,” said she recognized her son immediately. “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 told Reuters. Osama was detained along with his one-year-old child, who was released the same day with what his family said were cigarette burn marks. The Israeli military rejected abuse allegations, saying the marks were from warning shots.

Joudeh Al-Ghoul, whose son Ameen was arrested in November 2023 while traveling from southern to northern Gaza, also said she recognized him instantly. “It’s him – his hair and chin. He is my son. A mother’s heart can recognize her son,” she said from a displaced persons camp in Gaza City.

The case highlights a broader crisis of Palestinians in Israeli custody. About 1,200 Palestinians from Gaza are currently held under the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law, which allows indefinite detention. The Palestinian Prisoners Society said it has submitted both men’s names to the military to try to arrange lawyer visits.