Fate of Gazans Kidnapped by Israeli Terrorist Forces During their Criminal War Remains Unknown

Report : Fate of Gazans taken during attacks remains unknown

Thursday January 29, 2009 13:07 by Ali Samdoui - Palestine News Network - PNN

Some 300 Palestinian civilians were kidnapped by the Israeli terrorist forces during their criminal war on Gaza, but for many, their fate remains in limbo. President of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, Qaddura Fares, told PNN today that the Israeli administration refuses to disclose their names.

It is unknown know exactly who was taken and to where. Tens have been released and report the existence of many remaining, including those with untreated medical conditions.

Approximately 40 people were put in al-Naqab Prison where they are being held without access to the Red Cross, lawyers or winter blankets.

The Israelis are referring to these political prisoners as “enemy combatants.” On Thursday Fares expressed an ongoing concern. “Israeli occupation authorities continue to refuse to disclose the names of citizens who were detained during the war of aggression on Gaza, and refuse to give an announcement of the places of detention, despite the testimony of dozens of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who were released following the arrest period. They confirmed the existence of cases suffering from bullet injuries received during the operations, and the occupation depriving them of treatment. Witnesses report an Israeli bus carrying a group to an unknown destination.”

Prisoners’ affairs specialist for the Palestinian Authority, Abdel Nasser Ferwana, said that 17 Palestinians were quickly prepared to leave al-Naqab. “They were sent directly to the Erez crossing.” Ferwana said. “The remaining prisoners from the war on Gaza in al-Naqab were being held in ‘C’, some of them are in cells. We don’t know their names.”

Ferwana expressed strong concern about where this group is as it did not reach the crossing of Beit Hanoun, also known as Erez. “This means they were transferred to secret locations and the occupation authorities will not say. They could be in the interrogation cells of Askalan.”

The Mandela Foundation issued a statement expressing grave concern over the fate of Palestinians taken from the Gaza Strip after December 27th.

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