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Rabat – A recent report by Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has revealed a disturbing pattern of “systematic” abuse and torture, including arbitrary violence and sexual abuse inflicted on Palestinian prisoners by Israeli authorities since the onset of the war on Gaza on October 7.
Based on interviews with 55 Palestinian prisoners, the report is titled “Welcome to Hell,” quoting an Israeli soldier’s remark to Palestinian detainees, including Fouad Hassan, as they disembarked at Israel’s Megiddo Prison.
The B’Tselem report emphasized that the testimonies indicate a “systemic, institutional policy focused on the continual abuse and torture of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.”
‘Torture camps’
Prisoner accounts detailed they were subjected to arbitrary beatings, degrading and humiliating treatment, forced unhygienic conditions, denial of medical treatment, sleep deprivation, and sexual violence of varying degrees, among other forms of mistreatment.
“These descriptions appear time and again in the testimonies, in horrifying detail and with chilling similarities,” the report states.
B’Tselem’s report said that the testimonies indicate that over a dozen Israeli prison facilities have been converted into what it describes as “torture camps,” dedicated to the abuse of inmates.
The human rights organization asserted that these acts of violence and torture are carried out under orders, in blatant violation of both Israeli domestic law and international law. The report also highlighted that at least 60 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli custody since October 7, with 48 of these deaths occurring among prisoners from Gaza.
The report’s release follows the detention of nine Israeli soldiers accused of severe abuse, including the sexual assault of a prisoner at a military facility in the Negev desert. This incident has further intensified scrutiny on Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees.
‘Israel is committing torture that amounts to a war crime’
A spokesperson for the Israel Prison Service (IPS) denied the allegations, stating that all prisoners are treated in accordance with the law and that their basic rights are fully upheld by professionally trained guards. The spokesperson also mentioned that detainees have the right to file complaints, claiming they are thoroughly investigated.
However, videos and images of Palestinian detainees following their release show otherwise, with traces of torture, malnutrition, and psychological trauma evident on the wide-eyed and trembling prisoners.
The findings have added to the mounting international pressure on Israel regarding its immoral conduct in the ongoing war on Gaza. Qadura Fares, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Commission for Prisoners and Ex-Detainees Affairs, has called for an international commission of inquiry to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinian detainees.
B’Tselem points out that the number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails has doubled to 9,623 since the war on Gaza began. The report said that this policy is being implemented under the direction of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, with the full support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Given the severity of the acts, the extent to which the provisions of international law are
being violated, and the fact that these violations are directed at the entire population of
Palestinian prisoners daily and over time – the only possible conclusion is that in carrying out these acts, Israel is committing torture that amounts to a war crime and even a crime against humanity,” the report concluded.
Read also: Freed Palestinian Prisoners Accuse Israeli Occupation Forces of Torture
