**Palestinian Photojournalist Released After 18 Months in Detention** Shadi Abu Sido, a Palestinian photojournalist, was released from Israeli detention after 18 months, believing his family had been killed in Gaza. He was arrested on March 18, 2024, while working for the Beirut-based broadcaster Palestine Today. Abu Sido recounted a harrowing experience, stating, "[The prison guard] told me 'I killed your family. I killed your children. I killed your wife.'" During his time in prison, Abu Sido endured severe psychological torment, leading him to believe he had no surviving family members. "I started begging them to kill me. I wished for death," he said. His release was part of a larger exchange involving nearly 2,000 Palestinians, many of whom had been held without charge and reported mistreatment in Israeli custody. Upon returning to Gaza, Abu Sido witnessed the devastation of his city and was shocked to find his family alive. "I was stunned. I was shocked to see them alive," he said. "That scene was indescribable, beyond words." Abu Sido was arrested during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) raid on Al Shifa hospital, where he was working as a journalist. He claimed he was wrongfully accused of being an "unlawful combatant." The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Israel has detained thousands of Palestinians under this law, which allows for detention without charge based on perceived threats to national security. "When I was arrested, it was like disappearing into a dark abyss," Abu Sido said. He described the conditions in detention as brutal, with reports of physical and psychological abuse from prison guards. He stated that detainees were often tied up for hours and subjected to beatings. "There wasn't a single spot on my body that wasn't broken. Not a single part untouched," he said. Abu Sido also alleged that dogs were used to intimidate and assault prisoners. He noted that many detainees suffered severe mental health issues due to the conditions. "Most of the prisoners lost their minds. People started hallucinating. Most of them lost their sanity," he said. The IDF denied allegations of systematic abuse, stating that detainees receive adequate meals and care. A spokesperson claimed, "The IDF completely rejects allegations regarding the systematic abuse of detainees, including allegations of sexual abuse." Human rights lawyer Sari Bashi highlighted worsening conditions in Israeli detention since October 7, 2023. She noted that access to legal representation has become severely limited, with many detainees held without charge. "The people coming out have scabies, they are malnourished, and they are very, very sick. They report torture and sexual abuse," Bashi said. Mervat Sarhan, a Palestinian mother, was also released recently after being separated from her five children for five months. She was arrested after Israeli forces killed her husband during a raid. Sarhan described her experience, stating, "They saw their father killed, their mother handcuffed and taken away. My children are still traumatized to this day." Sarhan was accused of holding Israeli hostages, which she denied. She reported being subjected to beatings and electric shocks during her detention. Like Abu Sido, she was told her children had been killed, only to find them alive upon her release. The United Nations reported that at least 45 Palestinians have died in Israeli detention since October 7, with claims of systematic torture and abuse. Gaza's health authorities have received unidentified bodies showing signs of torture, prompting families to search for their loved ones. The Palestine Center for Prisoners Advocacy is calling for increased legal support for detainees and documentation of alleged abuses. They have expressed concern over the lack of legal safeguards for detainees, particularly since the onset of the conflict. In 2016, the UN Committee Against Torture raised alarms about legislation allowing indefinite detention without charge based on secret evidence, which could deprive detainees of basic legal rights. As the situation continues to evolve, the plight of Palestinian detainees remains a pressing issue, drawing attention from human rights organizations and the international community.