IDF Addresses Reports of Palestinian Detainees Marked with Numbers in West Bank Operation

The Israel Defense Forces responded to reports that soldiers marked Palestinian detainees with numbers on their bodies during an operation in the village of Qabatiya in the Menashe region. Ahmad Hatmawi, a Qabatiya resident and former prisoner, told the Qatari channel Al-Arabi that during his arrest, numbers were written on his forehead and hand. Hatmawi said this was his fourth arrest but the first time he was marked in this way, describing the act as humiliating. He also stated that other detainees were gathered at the site during the operation.

The IDF confirmed that during the divisional operation in Qabatiya, suspects were marked for interrogation purposes. The military emphasized that commanders instructed troops on the seriousness of the conduct and that lessons were learned from the incident. Although the IDF did not specify whether disciplinary measures were taken against those involved, it stressed that the behavior was considered exceptional and should not be repeated.