Palestinian youth Hazem Alwan, who endured eight months in Israeli prisons, has described the harrowing experiences he suffered during his detention. Released on 12 January 2025, Alwan shared the traumatic details of his imprisonment, revealing that the Israeli army used Palestinian detainees as human shields during military operations in the northern Gaza Strip.

Alwan explained that, after being interrogated at Zikim Prison in northern Gaza, he was forcibly involved in military operations. “I was compelled to carry out dangerous tasks, such as wearing an Israeli army uniform and helmet, carrying a camera, and entering homes that might be booby-trapped,” he said. “The purpose was to inspect the premises before soldiers entered, all while under threat of physical and psychological torture.”

Alwan described being used as a human shield in Jabalia, where he was forced to accompany military units as they stormed homes and buildings. These operations put his life at severe risk. “Palestinians are routinely used as human shields in northern Gaza. Each military unit typically takes five to six detainees along during these operations,” Alwan stated.

The mistreatment of detainees went beyond forced participation in operations. Alwan explained that Palestinian prisoners were subjected to brutal beatings, often targeting sensitive areas, and were threatened with death if they refused to comply. He also recounted a particularly harrowing incident involving a fellow detainee, Muhammad Nabhan, who was injured when a house was bombed while he was inside. Nabhan was taken to the hospital, but his fate remains uncertain.

Alwan detailed his own arrest, explaining that he was detained at Al-Fakhoura School in Jabalia, which was being used as a shelter for displaced people. “The soldiers handcuffed me, blindfolded me, and transferred me to Zikim Prison,” he recalled.

During his time as a human shield, Alwan witnessed the widespread destruction in northern Gaza. “We were forced to enter houses first to ensure they were free of resistance members or explosives,” he said. “Sometimes, the houses were empty, but other times, we found elderly civilians or families still sheltering inside.”

Since the Israeli army launched its ground operation in Gaza on 27 October 2023, thousands of Palestinians, including women, children, health workers, and civil defence personnel, have been arrested. While some detainees have been released, the fate of many others remains unknown. Human rights organisations and Israeli media have reported instances of torture and medical neglect, which have led to the deaths of many detainees in Israeli detention centres.