‘I was raped by a huge dog’: Survivors recount horror in Israeli custody — ‘It was a big party, as they call it’

“I Was Raped by a Huge Dog”: Palestinian Survivors Share Nightmarish Accounts of Israeli Custody Abuse

Testimonies from Gaza and the West Bank

I was raped by a huge – The phrase “I was raped by a huge dog” has become a haunting symbol of the trauma endured by Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. Mohammed Zaki al-Bakri, a Gaza civil servant detained after the October 7 attack, recounted how he was subjected to brutal sexual violence by a massive dog during his imprisonment. “I believe it was April 10, 2024. That day was the worst of my time there,” al-Bakri told Al Jazeera. “They took many of our young men, leaving only six or seven of us. We were treated with cruelty,” he said, emphasizing the systematic nature of the abuse.

“I remember being locked in a small cage outside. There was a narrow passage, referred to as a waiting area, where they stripped us of our clothes while handcuffed. We were blindfolded, and our limbs were tied,” al-Bakri explained.

Al-Bakri described the dogs as being equipped with iron muzzles, which were used to inflict pain and humiliation. “The dog was massive. Its muzzle cut into the body, shaving it as it attacked,” he said. Following the disrobing, he claimed that some detainees were sexually assaulted using rubber rods and pipes, while others, like himself, faced attacks by the dogs. “I was among those raped by a huge dog,” he added, highlighting the dual forms of violence.

Systematic Psychological Warfare

Job, a West Bank detainee, shared a chilling account of sexual abuse by Israeli soldiers. “The most agonizing moment I witnessed wasn’t the beating or the electric shocks. It was when female soldiers used artificial devices to rape me,” he told Al Jazeera. “They cuffed my hands behind my back, removed the ankle chain, and replaced it with handcuffs. I was made to lie face down while they stomped on my back and neck,” he said, illustrating the dehumanizing tactics employed.

“Two soldiers approached me with [artificial objects] strapped to their waists. One began raping me explicitly. Others around them cheered and filmed the act,” Job recounted.

Women detainees also faced extreme humiliation, with many forced into naked positions in front of family members. “They took me to the bedroom and told me to strip completely. I was made to stand and squat repeatedly, 14 times each,” said Shereen, an educator and activist. “They said, ‘If he is a Nukhba…everything is legitimate,’” she added, reflecting the justification given by perpetrators.

Documenting the Pattern of Abuse

The documentary “Bodies of Evidence: Israel’s Darkest Weapon,” released on June 9, seeks to expose the use of rape as a tool of psychological warfare. It includes testimonies from detainees who allege that the abuse is not isolated but part of a calculated strategy to instill fear. However, Mint could not independently verify these claims, relying instead on Al Jazeera’s investigation and reports from human rights organizations.

“The footage shows detainees being raped by a huge dog and other methods. It was a big party, as they call it,” al-Bakri remarked, underscoring the casual brutality described by survivors.

Recent UN reports suggest that the abuse has escalated since the October 7 attack. A March 2025 UN analysis found evidence of systematic gender-based violence, including rape and reproductive harm, against Palestinians in custody. Survivors emphasize that the psychological impact is profound, with many reporting long-term trauma and feelings of helplessness. “This isn’t just about physical pain—it’s about breaking our spirits,” said one detainee, reflecting the broader sentiment among victims.

Global Responses and Ongoing Concerns

International observers and human rights groups have raised alarms over the documented cases of sexual violence. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor have compiled testimonies that highlight a pattern of abuse. These organizations argue that the incidents are part of a broader strategy to target Palestinian men and women as symbols of resistance.

“The systematic use of rape in custody is a deliberate effort to demoralize detainees and spread fear,” stated a PCHR report.

Survivors also note that the trauma is compounded by the lack of accountability. Many describe being interrogated in dark, cramped spaces while being physically and sexually abused. “They called it a big party, but for us, it was a nightmare,” said al-Bakri, capturing the stark contrast between the perpetrators’ perspective and the victims’ experience. The widespread nature of the abuse has sparked renewed calls for investigations into Israel’s treatment of detainees.