Uday Rabie. CNN
A 22-year-old Palestinian man, Uday Rabie, was tortured and killed after publicly criticizing Hamas and joining protests against the group in Gaza, according to his family.
His brother, Hassan Rabie, said that Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, took Uday last week in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. Hassan said Uday had argued with Hamas members a month earlier and feared they would come after him.
Uday had also joined anti-Hamas and anti-war protests in Gaza’s al-Rimal neighborhood, where he chanted “No to Hamas.” The protests happened as Israeli attacks on Gaza continued, and a blockade on humanitarian aid remained. Demonstrators blamed both Hamas and Israel for the suffering in Gaza.
According to Hassan, armed men from the Al-Qassam Brigades kidnapped Uday on Friday. “They took him, tortured him, then called me and said: come get your brother,” Hassan said.
When Uday was returned, he was barely alive. Hassan described how the fighters had stripped Uday down to his underwear, tied a rope around his neck, and dragged him while beating him. They warned, “This is the fate of anyone who disrespects Al-Qassam Brigades.”
Hassan rushed Uday to the hospital, but he died shortly after arriving. A video shared online showed Uday on a hospital bed, covered in cuts and bruises. His face was heavily bruised, with parts of his hair and eyebrows shaved.
Hassan said his family is certain that members of the Al-Qassam Brigades were responsible and that they even know some of their names.
Hamas has not publicly responded to the allegations. However, their Government Media Office previously stated that Palestinians have the right to protest peacefully, calling the demonstrations a reflection of the “tremendous pressure” people in Gaza face.
Uday’s family released a statement on Facebook, saying Hamas members kidnapped him around 8:30 p.m. on Friday. They searched for him for hours before learning he was in Hamas’ custody. The group allegedly told the family Uday needed to be “disciplined” for insulting them.
The statement described Uday’s torture, saying he suffered severe internal bleeding and injuries to his head, pelvis, and back. His family is demanding justice.
A video recorded about a week before his death shows Uday saying, “They (Hamas) want to take me, they want to kill me … I don’t know what they want from me.”
Protests against Hamas have been growing in northern Gaza. Over 50,000 people have died in Israel’s military campaign, which began after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
A Palestinian human rights group condemned Uday’s killing, calling it part of the growing lawlessness in Gaza. They warned that the absence of justice threatens public rights and freedoms.
