Politics Allegations of torture after return of bodies - Israel denies
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, the bodies of Palestinian prisoners returned by Israel show signs of torture. There are also signs that the victims were shot or hanged.
22.10.2025, 18:40
SDA
This was stated by Director General Munir al-Bursch. The authority did not initially provide any evidence. Israel's army and a government spokesperson rejected the allegations.
The Israeli military acted "strictly in accordance with international law", the army said on request. "In contrast to the murderous terrorist organization Hamas, which slaughtered civilians, desecrated corpses and even glorified its actions by publishing its atrocities online."
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, the bodies showed signs of beatings, shackles, blindfolds and burns. The Hamas media office also spoke of indications of "targeted executions". The information cannot be independently verified.
Army: All bodies were fighters in the Gaza Strip
The Israeli army called the accusations "false Hamas propaganda". The military emphasized that all of the bodies returned so far were fighters from the Gaza Strip. A spokeswoman for the Israeli government said that the reports were an attempt to demonize Israel.
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, Israel has so far handed over 195 bodies as part of the peace plan promoted by the USA. Of these, 57 have been identified by relatives. The mortal remains of 54 Palestinians who could not be identified were buried today.
The terrorist organization Hamas has so far handed over 15 dead hostages and has yet to release a further 13. For every hostage whose mortal remains Hamas hands over, Israel must release the bodies of 15 dead residents of the Gaza Strip.
Just over a week ago, the Islamists had already released all living hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
