Palestinian victims testified at the UN, detailing severe abuse by Israeli forces and settlers, including torture and sexual assault. Said Abdel Fattah shared his traumatic experience while other victims like Mohamed Matar provided evidence of systemic violence. The hearings have faced criticism from the Israeli government, which asserts that it investigates allegations of wrongdoing.
In Geneva, Palestinian victims described their experiences of severe abuse during testimonies at the United Nations. They spoke of harrowing incidents of torture and sexual violence suffered at the hands of Israeli forces and settlers. Among the testimonies, Said Abdel Fattah, a 28-year-old nurse, detailed his two-month ordeal, where he was subjected to physical and sexual abuse after being detained near Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital in November 2023.
Fattah recounted, “I was humiliated and tortured,” describing how he endured beatings and threats of rape in cold, overcrowded detention facilities. His testimony highlighted a specific interrogation episode, stating, “I was like a punching bag… I was bleeding everywhere.” The United Nations’ Commission of Inquiry focused specifically on allegations of “sexual and reproductive violence,” emphasizing the importance of hearing victim accounts.
Supporters advocating for the victims denounced the Israeli Government’s dismissal of such allegations. Israel’s UN Ambassador, Daniel Meron, criticized the hearings as a waste of resources, asserting that Israel was committed to investigating any allegations of wrongdoing. However, Palestinian lawyer Sahar Francis condemned the lack of accountability and described incidents of systemic abuse, stating, “abuse had become a widespread policy.”
Victims such as Mohamed Matar posed serious allegations concerning encounters with settlers. He recounted being tortured for hours by security agents and settler groups, illustrating the dehumanizing treatment he underwent, including being forced to consume animal waste. After this traumatic experience, Matar expressed the psychological toll, stating that he felt horrified by the extent of sadism exhibited by the attackers, emphasizing the need for further attention on this issue.
The testimonies presented before the UN in Geneva underscore serious allegations of abuse faced by Palestinians in Israeli detention and from settlers. These accounts reveal a troubling pattern of torture and sexual violence, raising significant humanitarian concerns. The contrasting views between the testimonies of victims and the Israeli government’s dismissal of these allegations highlight the ongoing complexities and conflicts in the region.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
