The Palestinian Society in Gaza resisted and fought the Israeli military occupation for twenty-seven years, and the last six years, which became know as the Intifada, signified an intensification of the national struggle for independence. The Israeli army responded to these efforts by suppressing all expression of aspiration for freedom with extremely harsh methods. The human cost was overwhelming for the Palestinian community.

From the beginning of the Intifada in 1987 until its end in 1993, 1,464 people were killed, 123,480 were injured, 805 were deported, 1,938 were partially handicapped, and 131 people were completely handicapped. The number of political prisoners was estimated to be one hundred thousand, approximately 10% of the total population. About 13,600 Palestinians were detained without charges or trials during the first forty months of the Uprising (PHRIC, 1993). Many of the prisoners were under 17, as the Israeli military initially defined the legal criminal age at 16. In 1987 Israeli lowered that age to 14, and in the last years of the Intifada they lowered it again to 12 (Usher, 1991).

To help the victims of human rights abuses, GCMHP provides clinical and social support. The Research Department contributes by providing information about the prevalence of torture experience, and psychological and social problems among ex-political prisoners. Furthermore, to learn about their capacities and resources is crucial to develop rehabilitation activities. Our research has focused on the impact of torture experiences on PTSD, somatic illnesses, and family problems. We have further examined the coping capacity and subjective experience of imprisonment, and their relationship with mental health.