Palestinian officials condemned the arrest, calling it part of a broader campaign targeting students and scholars returning from abroad.
Palestinian Cadets Graduate from Pakistan Naval College; One Detained by Israeli Authorities Upon Return. In a significant milestone for Palestinian military education, two Palestinian cadets graduated on Saturday, June 28, from the prestigious Pakistan Naval College as part of Batch 22-B. The ceremony, held in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, marked a proud moment for the Palestinian Military Training Authority, which had sponsored the students under its Overseas Colleges Program.
One of the cadets distinguished himself during the official graduation parade by serving as the Deputy Commander of the Military Column—a symbolic role often awarded to exemplary students. His leadership in the ceremony reflected the professionalism, discipline, and high standards of Palestinian military trainees on the global stage.
The participation of Palestinian students in Pakistan’s elite naval training institutions underscores ongoing efforts by the Palestinian Military Training Authority to enhance the capabilities of its future officers. By sending cadets abroad to friendly nations with advanced military education systems, the Authority aims to build a corps of skilled, highly educated professionals to serve in a future Palestinian state.
However, the celebration was overshadowed by troubling developments back home. One of the graduates, Abdullah Maqdesawi, a young cadet from the town of Burqin, west of Jenin, was arrested by Israeli occupation forces shortly after his return to Palestine from Pakistan. Israeli authorities transferred Maqdesawi to Ofer military court, where he was sentenced to administrative detention—a practice widely criticized by human rights groups for allowing imprisonment without charge or trial.
Sources indicate Maqdesawi had been awarded a scholarship by the Palestinian Authority to pursue a degree in electrical engineering in military sciences, a dual-track field that combines advanced technical knowledge with officer-level military training.
Palestinian officials condemned the arrest, calling it part of a broader campaign targeting students and scholars returning from abroad. “This is not just an attack on an individual,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, “but a deliberate attempt to undermine the development of a qualified and empowered generation of Palestinian professionals.”
Rights organizations have long criticized Israel’s use of administrative detention, particularly against students, activists, and former detainees. The detention of Maqdesawi has drawn renewed attention to these policies, especially as it involves a graduate returning from an internationally recognized academic and military institution.
The incident threatens to strain efforts by the Palestinian Authority to build international partnerships for education and training, with observers warning that such arrests risk deterring students from pursuing overseas opportunities vital to Palestine’s institutional development.
As Maqdesawi remains in detention, calls are mounting from Palestinian leaders, human rights defenders, and student organizations demanding his immediate release and the protection of educational freedoms.
