Israel’s leading human rights organization, B’tselem, has issued a disturbing report on the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, revealing severe abuse and deteriorating conditions since the onset of the Gaza conflict 10 months ago. The report, titled “Welcome to Hell,” is based on testimonies from 55 recently released Palestinian detainees and underscores a dramatic escalation in prison abuse.
Conditions of Torture and Abuse
According to B’tselem, the testimony from these detainees reveals a system of widespread physical and mental abuse, including beatings, sleep deprivation, humiliation, and starvation. Yuli Novak, B’tselem’s executive director, noted the alarming consistency in the reports. “The Israeli prison system, in regard to Palestinians, has turned into a network of torture camps,” Novak asserted.
Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, which claimed around 1,200 lives, the number of Palestinian detainees has doubled to approximately 10,000. This surge has overwhelmed Israel’s prison facilities, leading to overcrowded conditions. Cells designed for six inmates are now holding up to a dozen people, with some detainees forced to sleep on filthy floors without mattresses or blankets.
Testimonies of Brutal Treatment
Firas Hassan, a detainee released in April, described severe abuse he endured while in custody. Hassan, already imprisoned before the October attacks under administrative detention, reported being blindfolded, bound, and beaten by 20 masked officers with batons, sticks, and firearms. “They kept beating us for 50 minutes while filming,” he recounted. Hassan, who lost 20 kg during his detention, described the abuse as unprecedented in his experience.
Israeli Arab lawyer Sari Khourieh, who was detained for ten days at Megiddo prison in November, also reported witnessing extreme abuse. Khourieh described the prison environment as lawless and chaotic, with inmates being violently beaten without cause. He recounted hearing a beaten inmate pleading for medical help and later learned that the inmate had died.
Government and International Response
The UN has reported that 17 Palestinian detainees died in Israeli custody between October 7 and May 15. Israel’s military advocate has indicated that investigations are underway into the deaths of 35 Gaza detainees. However, Israel has refused to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Palestinian detainees, citing frustrations with ICRC’s access to Israeli hostages in Gaza. Critics argue that this refusal represents a blatant disregard for international law.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his hardline stance, has faced criticism for his role in worsening prison conditions. Ben Gvir has publicly boasted about changes under his watch, which he claims have intensified the conditions for Palestinian detainees. His statements have drawn backlash from human rights groups and have been seen as indicative of a broader decline in moral and ethical standards in Israel’s treatment of prisoners.
B’tselem and other human rights organizations are calling for immediate international intervention to address the alleged abuses and ensure compliance with human rights standards. The situation in Israeli prisons remains a critical issue amid the ongoing conflict, reflecting deepening tensions and humanitarian concerns.
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