He found them alive after two years.. The story of a Palestinian photographer who was arrested by the occupation and was told about the death of his

Two years after his arrest by the Israeli occupation, Palestinian photographer Shadi Abu Seido experienced an emotional reunion with his wife and children, whom he thought he had lost, as he returned to his family in Khan Younis, as part of a prisoner exchange deal that took place after an agreement between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, mediated by Qatari, Turkish, Egyptian, and American efforts.

Abu Seido said, "I was shocked when I heard the voices of my wife and children; I couldn't believe they were alive amidst all this destruction." He added that the moment he met them at home was “as if the soul returned to my body after being taken away for many long years.”

Abu Seido was arrested on March 18, 2024, while he was at Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, during a campaign launched by the Israeli occupation forces that detained around 1,700 Palestinians, including journalists and political activists. He was released as part of a comprehensive exchange agreement that included the release of 250 detainees in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas after its attack on the border in October 2023.

Hana Bahlool, Abu Seido's wife, stated that her husband was detained under the Israeli "Unlawful Combatants" law, a system that allows for administrative detention without trial or formal charges. The Palestinian human rights organization Al-Dameer confirmed that 2,673 Palestinians are currently detained under this law, amid reports of multiple violations.

Abu Seido added that the years of detention involved torture, beatings, and restrictions on his freedom, noting that the handcuffs and blindfolds left clear marks on his body.

Despite his release, the situation in Gaza remains difficult, as the destroyed neighborhoods and lack of infrastructure make it harder to restore normal life.

Hana explains that her husband faces a significant challenge in rebuilding his life and family amidst the destruction and the psychological effects of long detention.