Syrian Detainees Allege Abuse and Harsh Conditions in IDF Custody

Former Syrian detainees and human rights organizations report harsh conditions and alleged abuse during IDF detentions in the buffer zone. According to reports, dozens of Syrians have been arrested since December 2024, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Ali al-Abdallah, a 20-year-old former detainee, stated he was held for over five months without charges, enduring isolation, sleep deprivation, and stress positions. Similar accounts were shared by other former detainees and family members who described difficulties in obtaining information about their imprisoned relatives from international bodies or Syrian authorities.

The Israel Defense Forces stated that its presence in the buffer zone is necessary for northern border defense against Hezbollah. The military emphasized that soldiers question and detain suspects upon reasonable suspicion of terror involvement, while rejecting all allegations of detainee mistreatment.