How six months in Israeli jail changed this Palestinian journalist’s life forever
The photographs of Mujahid Bani Mufleh before and after his detention in Israel shocked many people - including himself.
"It hurts to look at photographs of the person I used to be," said the prominent Palestinian journalist from the town of Beita, near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
Six months in Israeli detention without charge or trial changed him forever.
The 36-year-old father of three emerged gaunt and frail, his face hollow, his eyes sunken, looking years older than when he entered prison.
Apart from diabetes, Bani Mufleh had been in good health before his arrest. But he says months of torture, physical abuse and medical neglect left his body broken.
"My defences collapsed under the weight of torture and humiliation," he told Middle East Eye from his hospital bed.
"They wanted you to forget who you were."
Two days after his release on 12 January 2026, Bani Mufleh was admitted to hospital after suffering a severe brain haemorrhage followed by a stroke, which he believes was caused by the abuse he endured in Israeli custody.
Read more: How six months in Israeli jail changed this Palestinian journalist’s life forever
A before-and-after photo of Mujahid Bani Mufleh, showing the changes to his face after six months in Israeli detention (X & Mojahid Nawahda/MEE)