Lead

A photograph showing a Palestinian detainee blindfolded, stripped to his underwear and severely restrained has caused anguish for two mothers in Gaza, each of whom is certain the man in the image is her missing son. The Israeli military has acknowledged the photo is genuine, but has not identified the man or disclosed where he is being held.

The photo, originally posted on Instagram with the words “good morning” written in Hebrew, shows a man with his hands bound behind his back, his right foot tied to the bottom corner of a cot, and a wooden rod bound to his back, running from his foot to his neck. His face is mostly obscured.

Coverage comparison

Coverage of the story has focused on both the human toll and the broader legal and human rights implications. Reporting from Al Jazeera, carried in multiple articles, emphasized the anguish of the two mothers, Rana Abu Nassar and Joudeh Al-Ghou, alongside the military's acknowledgment and inquiry. The Guardian also covered the story, framing the photo as corroborating extensive reporting on the treatment of Palestinian detainees and noting that it "may constitute a war crime" according to rights groups.

While the core facts—the image's existence, the mothers' claims, and Israel's confirmation—are consistent across reports, the perspectives differ. Al Jazeera's coverage includes the mothers' personal accounts, while The Guardian's reporting draws on statements from human rights organizations, offering a legal analysis.

Key claims

  • The photo shows a Palestinian detainee blindfolded, stripped to his underwear, and severely restrained, with the Hebrew caption "good morning." This detail was reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
  • The Israeli military confirmed the photo is genuine and said an inquiry is underway. Both outlets reported this acknowledgment, with The Guardian quoting a spokesperson who said the incident "does not align with IDF values and regulations."
  • Rana Abu Nassar and Joudeh Al-Ghou each believe the man is their missing son. This claim was reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian, with Abu Nassar telling Reuters, "I know the details of his body. He has swelling in his foot and scars on his leg – the same swelling on my left leg I saw in the picture."
  • The photo may constitute a war crime. This claim was carried by The Guardian, citing Oneg Ben Dror from Physicians for Human Rights Israel, who said that "both abusive treatment of detainees and the public sharing of humiliating or degrading images of them can constitute war crimes."
  • Israeli detention facilities are "torture camps for Palestinians." This assertion was made by Oneg Ben Dror in The Guardian's report, reflecting a view from the rights group.
  • Abuse in Israeli prisons is a widespread problem. Al Jazeera's coverage, in one article, broadly discusses this issue, though the specific claim is not directly attributed to a named source in the provided text.
  • The Israeli military has been accused of deliberately targeting children in Gaza. This is referenced in Al Jazeera's coverage, with a headline suggesting the accusation, but no further detail is given in the provided text.

Perspectives

Israeli military

The Israeli military has acknowledged the photo is genuine and stated that the incident is under investigation. A spokesperson was quoted as saying that the treatment depicted "does not align" with the military's values and that "those involved will be dealt with in accordance with the findings."

Human rights groups

Rights organizations, including Physicians for Human Rights Israel and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, have characterized the photo as evidence of broader abuses. Oneg Ben Dror from PHRI said the image corroborates "thousands of testimonies from Palestinian detainees" and that facilities are "torture camps." Sari Bashi from PCATI argued that holding a detainee in his underwear has no security justification and that sharing such images constitutes sexual violence and a war crime.

The two mothers

Rana Abu Nassar and Joudeh Al-Ghou, mothers of missing Palestinian men, have identified the man in the photo as their respective sons, based on physical details. Abu Nassar cited swelling and scars on the man's body, while Al-Ghou has not yet publicly detailed her reasoning in the provided text. Their claims underscore the uncertainty facing families of detainees.