Mohammed Salamah, a 35-year-old Palestinian from Gaza, never imagined the night he spent with his family in a shelter would be his last before enduring 15 months of torment. Arrested by Israeli forces in November 2023, Mohammed was released in February 2024 as part of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" prisoner exchange. His account reveals the brutal treatment faced by Palestinian detainees after October 7, 2023.  

"From the moment I was arrested, I knew it would be unbearable," Mohammed told *Palestine Today*. "We were blindfolded, handcuffed, and beaten during transfer. The violence was relentless."  

In prison, Mohammed faced gruelling interrogations in cramped cells, often without food, water, or rest. "They asked questions I couldn’t answer, then beat me when I failed," he said. Sleep deprivation and rotten food were used as weapons, while skin diseases were allegedly introduced through contaminated mattresses.  

Ramadan, a time of spiritual reflection, became a nightmare. "No call to prayer, no Iftar table, no security. Guards stormed our cells at Iftar, denying us even basic dignity," Mohammed recalled.  

Cut off from the outside world, Mohammed knew nothing of his family’s fate. "The darkness wasn’t just in the prison—it was not knowing if my loved ones were safe," he said.  

Despite constant threats and abuse, Mohammed clung to his faith. "I prayed, read the Quran, and begged God for relief," he shared.  

Released after 15 months, Mohammed hopes his story highlights the systemic abuse faced by Palestinian prisoners. "What we endured was inhumane, but our resilience is stronger than their hatred," he said.