Dozens stripped and held in Gaza war zone

PALESTINIAN prisoners sit head down stripped to their underwear while others are bound and guarded by Israeli troops.

- Mark Reynolds

Human rights groups condemned Israel yesterday over the photos and video footage, shown around the world.

Israel Defence Forces soldiers appeared to round up scores of men and transport them on the back of trucks in footage.

All the captives were in their underwear and bound, while many were also blindfolded.

Israel claimed the men were suspected Hamas fighters and were not civilians.

They are believed to have surrendered in the Jabalia refugee camp and other areas around northern Gaza.

Israeli media outlet Walla said they were stripped "to rule out the possibility that they were carrying weapons".