The Israeli army, known for its repeated attacks on Jabalia, forced the refugee camp residents out and subjected them to strip searches. In a shared video, a small girl can be seen among the civilians. The Palestinians, left waiting in the cold for hours, were exposed to inhumane treatment as they tried to escape to safe zones. American CNN International covered the ordeal faced by these Palestinians.

In the photo, a large crowd of over 200 people can be seen crouched among the rubble of Jabalia in northern Gaza. Mostly male, some nearly naked, some elderly, and some visibly wounded. Among them is at least one child.

Eyewitnesses shared with CNN International that they were detained by the Israeli army as they tried to escape their homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, ordered to strip, and then left outside in the cold for hours.

Their tired faces reveal the suffering they endured. The men in front look worriedly ahead while those behind crane their necks to see what is happening.

This photo taken on Friday in Jabalia showcases the refugee camp residents attempting to leave the area after being forced to evacuate due to ongoing Israeli military operations.

Although the creator of the photo shared on an Israeli Telegram channel is unknown, some of the men in the photo claimed that they were being photographed by Israeli soldiers as they were being detained.

“They Asked Us to Remove Our Clothes”

CNN International identified and spoke with five individuals seen in the photo. One of them, Muhannad Khalaf, recounted how he, his wife, and their baby son attempted to escape from the camp by utilizing a designated safe corridor when stopped by Israeli soldiers.

Khalaf stated, “We were all gathered in one place; men, women, children, and the elderly. Five hours later, at 4 p.m., they instructed the women and children to step forward and carry all our bags and belongings.” He added that women and children were allowed to leave.

Khalaf explained, “After they left, they asked the men to remove their clothes and stay in their underwear only. We complied. We sat in the cold for a few more hours, and the weather was freezing. During this time, they insulted us, called us names, laughed, and took photos of us.”

According to Khalaf, the men seen in the crowd in the photo were asked to step forward in groups of five by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) each time to be searched before being allowed to go to Gaza City, secured as a safe spot.

“Though some were selected for detention, others were released,” Khalaf said. “Most of us found refuge in Gaza. Witnessing the helpless elderly and wounded without anyone showing any compassion or mercy was horrifying and deeply saddening.”

The Little Girl in the Photo

The little girl seen in the left corner of the photo is named Jouri Abu Ward. The three-and-a-half-year-old child was trying to ride her bicycle to Gaza City with her father when they were detained at a checkpoint.

Jouri’s father, Mohamad Abu Ward, stated that he was forced to undress to his undergarments and was held with Jouri for eight hours. He mentioned that Jouri was not asked to remove her clothes, but being alone with her prevented him from leaving the area.

He noted that they were not given food or water, and his wife and other children had left the area early in the morning and managed to reach Gaza City.

Under Fire During Evacuation

Approximately a month ago, the Israeli army besieged Jabalia to launch a new ground operation, cutting off most supplies and forcing people to leave amidst heavy fighting.

The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders several times in recent weeks for the northern Gaza area and distributed brochures urging residents of Jabalia to “evacuate immediately.” Many Palestinians who spoke to CNN International earlier reported being shot at while trying to comply with evacuation orders.

Israeli Army Acknowledges Strip Searches

While the Israeli army declined to comment on the situation depicted in the photo, it admitted to routinely detaining and strip-searching people as part of its military operations in Gaza.

The army stated, “Individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities are detained and interrogated.” The Israeli army claimed that detainees are treated in accordance with international law and argued that it is often necessary for the clothes of terror suspects to be searched to ensure they are not concealing explosive vests or other weapons.

Continuing to justify stripping detainees as part of security protocols, the army explained that “clothes are not immediately returned to prisoners,” but emphasized that clothing is returned “as soon as possible.”

International Outcry Against Degrading Treatment

The Geneva Conventions, a set of international laws defining armed conflict rules, state that prisoners must be treated humanely. The rules explicitly forbid “any form of degrading or humiliating treatment.” The International Committee of the Red Cross specifies that intrusive searches, including the naked searches of detainees, should only be conducted when “absolutely” necessary and behind closed doors.

The United Nations (UN) and other human rights organizations have criticized the Israeli army for detaining and stripping people during its military operations in Gaza, accusing it of weaponizing the practice.

In a statement released last month, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel stated that “forcing male victims into nakedness, for the purpose of humiliating them in front of both soldiers and other detainees, is frequently used” during these operations.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned Israel for what they describe as a widespread practice that violates the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment due to the requirement of open nudity in a report dated July 2024.