Palestinians allege abuse in Israeli prisons, prompting UN concerns
Two Palestinian detainees describe sexual and physical abuse in Israeli detention, triggering UN scrutiny and renewed debate over prison practices.
Note for readers: This report contains accounts of sexual violence that may be distressing.
Two Palestinian men spoke to INLIBER about abuse they say occurred in Israeli detention, echoing issues raised in recent investigations into how prisoners are treated in the region's jails. The interviews come as international bodies scrutinize prison practices amid ongoing regional tensions since the Hamas attacks on Oct 7, 2023.
The UN Committee against Torture warned last month about reports of a de facto policy of organized torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli facilities, noting a sharp escalation after 7 October 2023. Other rights groups describe what they call systematic abuse inside the prisons.
Israel denies the allegations, but rights groups argue that a climate of anger after the attacks and hostage-taking has fostered a culture of impunity within the prison service, especially toward detainees linked to Hamas.
Last year, leaked CCTV from inside an Israeli military prison showed a Palestinian detainee from Gaza allegedly subjected to sexual abuse by guards, triggering high-level criticism and resignations at the top of the military and government.
Accounts from detainees
Sami al-Saei, 46, is a former freelance journalist from Tulkarm in the northern West Bank. He was arrested in January 2024 after coordinating interviews with Hamas members and other factions, and spent 16 months in administrative detention before his release earlier this year.
While at Megiddo prison in northern Israel, he says guards partially stripped him and subjected him to a sexual assault with a baton around mid-March 2024. Al-Saei recalls several guards present and taunting him with threats to involve his family. He says the assault lasted about 15 to 20 minutes and was followed by brutal beatings.
Al-Saei reports the abuse occurred on multiple occasions, though he says the sexual assault happened once. He notes that guards also applied pressure to his genitals, causing extreme pain. He chose to speak out despite concerns about social stigma in his West Bank community.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) responded with a statement asserting it operates legally and protects inmates’ safety and rights, and that it was not aware of the alleged incidents. Officials did not comment on any investigation or medical records.
Ahmed, a West Bank resident who asked to be unnamed, was jailed in January 2024 after being convicted of incitement to terrorism related to online posts praising the 7 October attacks. He received a one-year sentence and a fine of 3,000 shekels, about £700.
Ahmed describes being taken to a bathroom, stripped, forced to the ground, and subjected to sexual humiliation involving a dog. He says guards beat him regularly, including on the genitals, and that he was released after serving his sentence. He could not provide medical records, and the IPS did not respond to requests for comment.
Wider context
There are more than 9,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, many without charges. The UN report also condemns violence in Gaza and raises concerns about the broader response to the war.
There are also claims of abuse in Palestinian Authority prisons in parts of the West Bank. The PA denies such allegations, though rights groups have urged independent investigations.
Rights organizations in Israel report a sharp rise in torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment across detention facilities and call for accountability and transparent investigations.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva rejected the accusations as disinformation and defended the country’s commitment to preventing torture.
Analysts say the dispute highlights deep divisions within Israeli society about detainee treatment and the limits of state power during wartime.
Expert comment
Expert note: Human rights researchers emphasize the need for independent investigations, transparent reporting, and stronger safeguards to prevent abuse in detention settings.
Short summary
The report outlines accounts from two Palestinian detainees alleging serious abuses in Israeli prisons, including sexual violence and beatings. The accounts align with prior rights-group claims and come amid ongoing political tension and official responses from the IPS. Advocates call for credible investigations and greater accountability. Independent verification remains limited.
Key insight: Allegations of abuse in detention systems require independent investigations and stronger safeguards to protect detainees, a concern echoed by UN bodies and rights groups. BBC coverage
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