A photograph recently shared on social media, depicting a Palestinian man from Gaza stripped to his underwear, blindfolded, and bound face-down to an iron rod, has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights advocates. The image, which featured the Hebrew-language caption “good morning,” was posted on a personal account belonging to an Israeli soldier before being widely circulated. It was brought to broader public attention by a Palestinian writer and activist known as Tamer.
Oneg Ben Dror, representing the prisoner and detainees department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), stated that the image corroborates years of reports regarding the treatment of Palestinians in custody. According to Ben Dror, both the abusive handling of detainees and the act of sharing degrading imagery may constitute war crimes. She described Israeli detention facilities as “torture camps” for Palestinians, noting that the photo aligns with thousands of previous testimonies.
The Israeli military has acknowledged the authenticity of the photograph. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incident does not reflect the military’s values or regulations and confirmed that an inquiry is currently underway. However, the military declined to provide details regarding the detainee’s identity, his medical status, or whether his family had been notified of his condition.
Sari Bashi, executive director of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, emphasized that holding a detainee in his underwear lacks any security justification and violates international law. Bashi further argued that capturing and publishing sexualized images of detainees constitutes a form of sexual violence and a war crime. She noted that the practice has become a “grotesque and unlawful” method for families to seek information about missing loved ones, as the military has frequently withheld access or data regarding those detained.
The circulation of the photo has caused distress for families searching for missing relatives. Two mothers have identified the man in the image as their son. Rana Abu Nasser stated she recognized the specific swelling and scars on the leg of her son, Osama, who was taken into custody in March near the “yellow line” in Gaza. Similarly, Joudeh al-Ghoul identified the detainee as her son, Amin, who has been missing since his arrest in November 2023.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the lack of transparency regarding detainees. For the first seven months of the conflict, the Israeli military largely refused to provide information on those held in Gaza, effectively enforcing a policy of forced disappearance. While an email address for inquiries was established in May 2024, rights group HaMoked has reported that the system remains limited, with authorities frequently denying the detention of individuals despite witness testimony to the contrary.
