Israel continues raids and detentions of civilians in southern Syria
Syrian man, released after more than 5 months in Israeli custody, says he was held without charge and subjected to harsh prison conditions
QUNEITRA, Syria
Israel has continued to carry out raids in southern Syria and detain civilians, according to testimony from a Syrian man recently released after months in Israeli custody.
Ali Abdullah, one of dozens of Syrians detained by Israeli forces in southern Syria, was freed after being held in Israeli prisons for more than five months.
Abdullah, 20, lives in the village of Ma’ariya, located between Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria.
Abdullah told Anadolu that he was detained on June 29, when Israeli soldiers raided his village. He stated that he was held for one day near the border before being taken into Israel.
According to Abdullah, he was first transferred to Sde Teiman Prison in the Negev Desert, where he was held for about two months, before being moved to Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
He said he was interrogated at Ofer Prison but was held for months despite facing no charges.
“I was detained for 5 months and 10 days even though I had committed no crime. There were around 60 to 70 Syrians with me in prison, and only four people were released,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah described being subjected to severe psychological pressure during his detention, stating that his hands and feet were bound as part of punitive measures.
He added that some detainees suffered serious health problems as a result of these practices.
He also said he was held in solitary confinement for 10 days with his hands cuffed behind his back. “In that condition, you cannot eat or go to the toilet. In prison, only one meal a day was given,” he said.
Abdullah further alleged that prison guards pressured detainees during worship, insulting and verbally abusing them.
After his release, Abdullah returned to his village, saying Israeli violations of Syrian territory are continuing.
“Israeli soldiers frequently cross the border, set up checkpoints, and detain civilians,” he said.
Living about 500-600 meters (1,640-1,970 feet) from the Israeli border, Abdullah added: “We are here, this is our land. Even if they take us or detain us, we will not give up this land.”
According to available information, the Israeli army detained 40 people in Syria’s southern Quneitra province over the course of one year.
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