“We Weren’t in Prison — We Were in a Slaughterhouse”

Source: Adapted from Al Jazeera | Published: October 14, 2025

Recently released Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons have described their experiences as “beyond imagination.” Among them, Abdullah Abu Rafi from Khan Younis told Al Jazeera that his freedom feels “incredible.”

“We were not in a prison; we were in a slaughterhouse,” he said. “Unfortunately, that slaughterhouse was called Ofer Prison. Many young men are still trapped there. The conditions are unbearable — no mattresses, poor food, and constant deprivation.”

Another former prisoner, Yasin Abu Amra, said life behind bars was “extremely harsh.”

“Food, torture, beatings — everything was terrible. There was no food or water. I went four days without eating. When I arrived back in Khan Younis, someone gave me two sweets — that’s all I could eat,” he said.

Freed detainee Said Shubair said words fail to describe the joy of freedom.

“It’s impossible to explain this feeling. Seeing the sun and the open sky again — it’s indescribable. My hands are finally free. Freedom has no price; it’s priceless.”

According to Al Jazeera, Israel has released around 250 Palestinian prisoners, many serving life or long-term sentences. Since the Gaza conflict began, another 1,718 detainees have also been freed — individuals the United Nations had earlier identified as “forcibly disappeared.”