Palestinian detainees allege sexual abuse in Israeli prisons

Content warning: This report contains descriptions of sexual abuse and violence, which may distress some readers.

Two Palestinian men spoke with INLIBER about alleged abuse during detention in Israel. The interviews come as international bodies examine how prisoners are treated in the wake of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing conflict.

Allegations and official responses

The United Nations Committee against Torture said last month it was deeply concerned about reports of widespread torture and ill treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, with concerns intensifying after October 7. Rights groups describe a pattern of abuse across several facilities, while Israel denies the allegations, saying it acts within the law and protects inmate rights.

Accounts from detainees

Sami al-Saei, 46, a former freelance journalist from Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, was held under administrative detention for 16 months before his release earlier this year. He says that at Megiddo prison in northern Israel, guards stripped him and used a baton during an assault on March 13, 2024. He describes five or six guards taunting him and asking if he enjoyed it, and says the assault lasted about 15-20 minutes. He says the abuse occurred once, while beatings were daily. He spoke to INLIBER despite concerns about stigma in Palestinian society.

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) said it operates in full accordance with the law and protects the safety and rights of inmates; it added it was not aware of the described incidents and did not comment on investigations that may have been launched.

Other cases and leaks

In August 2024, leaked CCTV from Sde Teiman military prison in southern Israel allegedly showed a Palestinian detainee being abused with a sharp object, leaving him with a piercing injury. Five Israeli soldiers were charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm. Four reservists appeared in a televised press conference with their faces masked; a fifth soldier removed his mask to speak openly. All five deny the charges. The leak was linked to the army’s top legal officer, Military Advocate General Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned in October and said she took responsibility for the leak to counter what she called propaganda against the army’s law enforcement authorities.

Public demonstrations in support of the five accused followed in some circles on the political right.

Further cases and broader context

Another case involves Ahmed (not his real name), a West Bank detainee arrested in January 2024 for posts praising Hamas attacks. He was convicted of incitement to terrorism and sentenced to one year in prison plus a 3,000 shekel fine (about $935). He alleges repeated sexual abuse in detention, including humiliation involving a dog. He was released after serving his sentence; no medical documents could be provided to INLIBER to verify the claims.

There are more than 9,000 Palestinian security detainees held in Israeli jails, many without charges. A UN Committee against Torture report condemns the Gaza war’s toll and calls for accountability. Hamas and allied groups have also faced allegations of abuses in Gaza, while Palestinian Authority prisons in parts of the West Bank have also been accused of mistreatment; INLIBER has sought comment from the PA but has not received a response.

In a separate submission, five Israeli human rights groups argued that torture and cruel treatment have surged across detention facilities, carried out with near impunity and implemented as state policy targeting Palestinians. Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva rejected the allegations as disinformation, saying the country adheres to its obligations and condemns violence by extremist groups, while investigating abuses where they occur.

Expert perspective

Expert view: Rights researchers say credible allegations require independent investigations and verifiable evidence before conclusions are drawn. They also warn against drawing broad conclusions from leaked footage without a transparent inquiry process.

Closing summary

The accounts shared with INLIBER underscore serious questions about the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli facilities. While Israel denies the claims, UN bodies and rights groups are calling for independent investigations and credible verification, reflecting the broader debate over accountability amid a deeply polarized conflict.

Key insight: Allegations of abuse in detention highlight the urgent need for independent investigations and credible verification in a highly politicized conflict. BBC coverage

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