In a haunting reflection, Motahareh Goonei recalls, 'For me, hell was not the moment Israel attacked; hell was the moment they wouldn’t open the door [of the cell] for us.' This was during the missile strike on Iran's Evin Prison on June 23, a targeted attack that resulted in the highest civilian casualties in Israeli military history within Iran.
Satellite imagery, witness accounts, and video evidence collected reveal new insights into the incident, with conflicting reports detailing the number of casualties. Iranian officials report 80 fatalities, while Human Rights Watch cites unlawful attacks, suggesting war crimes may have occurred.
Goonei, a political activist imprisoned at Evin, detailed the chaotic and tragic moments post-strike, highlighting initial attempts by the guards to prevent escape, while correcting the narrative around prisoner responses, showcasing humanity in the direst situations.
Analysis indicates that Israel unleashed at least six projectiles, inflicting extensive damage to the facility. As a point of contention, Israel claims its actions targeted operational components against its state.
The aftermath remains clouded in uncertainty, particularly surrounding the status of vulnerable populations, such as transgender prisoners, whose fate has yet to be confirmed.
