Story perspectives

Palestinian Man Returns Blind After Torture in Detention

10/26/2025

Center

Abu Foul's Return

Mahmoud Abu Foul, a 28-year-old Palestinian, returned to Gaza after more than nine months in Israeli detention, where he says he lost his eyesight due to alleged torture.
He was detained during a December 2024 raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital.
He describes beatings and humiliation in Sde Teiman prison and was wrongfully accused of terrorism.
The ceasefire freed about 1,700 detainees.
Many, including Abu Foul, returned to destroyed homes.

Left

Detainees Released Amidst Cease-fire

The Gaza cease-fire included detainee releases, mainly Gaza residents held by Israel without charges.
Israeli rights groups say over 11,000 detainees were held and allege abuses, including torture and medical neglect.
Many detainees returned to find their families deceased and homes destroyed, with reports of abuse including beatings and torture.
The Israeli military denies these claims and asserts detainees are treated according to legal standards, while Gaza remains dire.

History

Historical Context

The Gaza conflict's roots trace back to the 1967 occupation, with Israel detaining over 1 million Palestinians since then. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Israel's administrative detention surged, reaching over 11,000 detainees by late 2023. Human rights organizations have reported severe abuses, including torture and medical neglect, intensifying scrutiny of Israeli practices amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza.

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Abu Foul's Return

Mahmoud Abu Foul, a 28-year-old Palestinian, returned to Gaza after more than nine months in Israeli detention, where he says he lost his eyesight due to alleged torture.
He was detained during a December 2024 raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital.
He describes beatings and humiliation in Sde Teiman prison and was wrongfully accused of terrorism.
The ceasefire freed about 1,700 detainees.
Many, including Abu Foul, returned to destroyed homes.

1 / 3