Blindfolded, Bound, and Beaten: Palestinians Report Severe Abuse in Israeli Prisons

Overview of Prison Conditions

Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, Israeli prisons have been overwhelmed, with the number of Palestinian detainees doubling to about 10,000. This surge has led to overcrowded, filthy cells where conditions have dramatically deteriorated. According to a report by Israel’s leading human rights organization, B’tselem, these conditions amount to torture. The report, titled “Welcome to Hell,” contains testimonies from 55 recently released Palestinian detainees, painting a grim picture of their experiences.

B’tselem’s executive director, Yuli Novak, highlighted the consistency in the detainees’ accounts, indicating systemic abuse. She described the conditions as involving daily physical and mental violence, humiliation, sleep deprivation, and starvation. Novak’s conclusion is stark: “The Israeli prison system as a whole, in regard to Palestinians, turned into a network of torture camps.”

Testimonies from Detainees

Firas Hassan, a long-time detainee under “administrative detention” (a policy allowing indefinite detention without charge), recounted his experience. Held since the early nineties, Hassan has faced numerous imprisonments but nothing prepared him for the treatment after October 7. He described a brutal attack two days after the Hamas attacks, where masked officers beat him and other inmates for 50 minutes, leaving him severely injured. Released without charge in April, Hassan had lost 20 kg and described the recent conditions as unprecedented in his 13 years of imprisonment.

Sari Khourieh, an Israeli Arab lawyer from Haifa, also shared his experience. Held for 10 days in Megiddo prison in November, Khourieh was accused of glorifying Hamas in Facebook posts, charges that were quickly dismissed. Despite his brief imprisonment, Khourieh witnessed severe abuse, with inmates beaten for no reason and crying out in pain. He noted that the conditions post-October 7 were significantly worse than before.

Human Rights Reports

B’tselem’s report is not an isolated case. A recent UN report also highlighted allegations of abuse against Palestinian prisoners, with 17 Palestinians reportedly dying in custody between October 7 and May 15. Israel’s military advocate announced investigations into the deaths of 35 Gaza detainees in army custody

Despite these reports, the Israeli authorities have denied any systematic abuse.

Official Responses

The Israeli army and prison service have dismissed the allegations. The army stated that any concrete complaints of misconduct are forwarded and dealt with appropriately. The prison service claimed no awareness of the alleged events. 

Despite these denials, international bodies and human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s refusal to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Palestinian detainees, a requirement under international law.

Broader Implications

The situation has broader implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations and human rights concerns. The harsh treatment of detainees reflects the heightened tensions and retaliatory measures following the deadly Hamas attacks. Far-right elements in Israel, including followers of hardline security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have openly supported the deterioration of conditions for Palestinian prisoners. Ben Gvir has boasted about these harsher measures, contributing to the moral and ethical concerns raised by human rights organizations.

B’tselem’s Novak pointed to Ben Gvir’s role in exacerbating the situation, describing it as a sign of the nation’s moral decline. She emphasized that the trauma and anxiety from the ongoing conflict should not justify inhumane treatment, which she views as tragic.

The testimonies of Palestinian detainees reveal a troubling reality within Israeli prisons. The graphic accounts of abuse and inhumane conditions, as documented by B’tselem and supported by other human rights reports, highlight serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the broader implications for human rights and justice in the region. The denials by Israeli authorities and the refusal to allow international oversight only add to the controversy and call for greater accountability and adherence to international legal standards. 

Follow Wat-Not on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram