Palestinians allege sexual abuse in Israeli detention centers

This article contains descriptions of sexual abuse and violence that may distress some readers.

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Two Palestinian men have told INLIBER about abuse they say occurred while in Israeli detention, reflecting ongoing concerns about prisoner treatment in Israeli facilities. These accounts come as international bodies and rights groups scrutinize detention practices in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks.

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The United Nations Committee Against Torture warned last month of concerns about a possible state policy of torture and ill-treatment in Israeli prisons, a focus sharpened after the Hamas attacks. Rights groups describe a pattern of abuse in some facilities, which Israel denies.

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Israel says it operates within the law and protects inmates’ rights, while rights advocates warn that the climate surrounding the conflict has fostered impunity in the prison system, particularly toward detainees tied to Hamas.

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In 2024, leaked CCTV from Megiddo prison in northern Israel showed a Palestinian detainee from Gaza being subjected to sexual abuse by guards, triggering resignations and intense debate within the security establishment.

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Sami al-Saei’s account

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Sami al-Saei, 46, a former freelance journalist from Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, was arrested in January 2024 after helping arrange interviews with Hamas members and other armed groups. He spent 16 months in administrative detention before being released this summer.

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He says that while in Megiddo prison, guards partially stripped him and, around 13 March 2024, used a baton in a sexual assault. He recalls five to six guards laughing and saying they wanted to involve his family. The assault lasted 15–20 minutes, accompanied by a severe beating and pressure on his genitals.

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Al-Saei notes the abuse occurred almost daily, though he says the sexual assault happened once. He spoke to INLIBER despite concerns about social stigma in the conservative West Bank society.

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The Israel Prison Service (IPS) issued a brief statement asserting it operates legally and protects inmates’ safety and rights, and it said it is not aware of the described incidents. The IPS did not provide a detailed reply about investigations or medical records.

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Ahmed’s testimony

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A second interviewee, known as Ahmed to protect his identity, lives in the West Bank with his wife and 11 children. He was arrested in January 2024 and convicted of incitement to terrorism for social media posts praising the October 7 attacks; he received a one-year sentence and a fine of 3,000 shekels (about USD 935).

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Ahmed alleges severe sexual abuse in detention, including an incident in which guards stripped him, forced him to the ground, and used a dog to humiliate him. He says the beating continued for some time, and he was released 12 days after the alleged abuse after serving his full sentence.

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Medical records were not available to verify his account, and the IPS did not respond to inquiries for comment.

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Across the region, more than 9,000 Palestinian security detainees remain in Israeli jails, many without charges. A UN report condemns the Gaza war’s human toll and calls for accountability, while some survivors and hostages have reported abuses by Hamas and its allies. There are also reports of abuse within Palestinian Authority prisons in areas under PA control, though the PA denies systematic abuse.

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Rights groups Adalah, PCATI, HaMoked, and Physicians for Human Rights–Israel describe rising torture and degrading treatment across detention facilities, arguing that safeguards have weakened and detainees are targeted based on status or political beliefs. They cite dozens of deaths in custody since the Gaza war began and call for independent investigations.

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Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva rejects the allegations as disinformation, insisting Israel adheres to human-rights norms and that no evidence shows a state policy of sexual or gender-based violence.

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A separate debate surrounds public opinion: a recent Israel Democracy Institute poll found many Israelis oppose investigations into soldiers accused of abusing Palestinians in Gaza, underscoring political divisions over accountability.

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There are ongoing concerns about detention practices in both Israeli and Palestinian institutions. Rights groups call for independent investigations to safeguard detainees and uphold human rights across the region.

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Expert comment:

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Expert: A human-rights analyst notes that these reports reflect a pattern of impunity in detention settings and emphasizes the need for independent investigations and accountability at all levels.

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Short summary:

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Two Palestinian men describe abuse during detention in Israel, aligning with UN and rights groups’ concerns about torture and ill-treatment in some prisons. Israel denies these claims, but leaked footage and testimonies have intensified scrutiny of prison practices. The UN and international rights groups urge independent investigations to ensure detainee safety and accountability.

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Key insight: Allegations of torture and sexual abuse in detention facilities persist amid conflicting narratives, underscoring the need for transparent, independent investigations to protect detainees. Source: BBC News

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