Deir el-Balah, Gaza

Faraj al-Samouni, 39, is back home surrounded by his amazed family, having endured harrowing Israeli captivity.

He lost 30kg during his ordeal, leaving him unrecognizable to his own brothers upon release.

Tortured, interrogated, starved

Faraj narrates the startling events of his arrest while innocent and the brutal treatment he faced in captivity.

He vividly describes the torture, beatings, and interrogations inflicted on him by Israeli soldiers.

Despite the hardships, Faraj's family stays strong, with his mother Zahwa tirelessly seeking information about her other detained sons.

Welcome to hell in the Naqab

Transferred to a harsh detention facility in the Naqab Desert, Faraj recalls the appalling conditions and torture he endured.

He shares stories of extreme cold, deprivation, and psychological torment he faced along with other prisoners.

The torment of not knowing

Despite the daily anguish, the worst moment for Faraj was hearing false news of his family's demise, a cruel tactic to break his spirit.

His eventual release brings joy to his loved ones, but the trauma and uncertainty of captivity leave lasting scars.

Faraj's journey of pain and resilience serves as a harrowing account of the suffering endured by many in captivity.