Palestinian Detainees Allege Abuse in Israeli Prisons
Two Palestinian men have reported experiencing beatings and sexual abuse in Israeli detention facilities. These accounts are presented amidst broader reports concerning the treatment of prisoners in Israel.
International Concerns and Reports
Last month, the United Nations Committee against Torture expressed concerns regarding reports suggesting "a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture and ill treatment" of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. The committee stated that these allegations "gravely intensified" following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Both Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations have also published reports detailing what they describe as "systematic" abuse. Israel has denied all such allegations. Rights groups contend that public sentiment in Israel following the October 7 attacks and the treatment of Israeli hostages in Gaza has contributed to a "culture of impunity" within the prison services, particularly concerning detainees identified as having expressed support for Hamas.
A prior incident involved leaked CCTV footage from an Israeli military prison, showing a Palestinian man from Gaza allegedly being sexually abused by prison guards. This incident reportedly led to a resignation and internal repercussions within Israel's military and political establishment.
Personal Accounts of Alleged Abuse
Sami al-Saei's Account
Sami al-Saei, 46, a former freelance journalist from Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, was arrested by Israeli soldiers in January 2024. He was held for 16 months without charge under administrative detention before his release in the summer.
Mr. al-Saei alleged that while he was detained in Megiddo prison in northern Israel, prison guards partially stripped him and raped him with a baton on or around March 13, 2024. He described the alleged assault as involving multiple guards who subjected him to pain and verbal abuse over an estimated 15 to 20 minutes, including squeezing his genitals. He further stated that beatings occurred almost daily, though the sexual abuse was a single incident.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) responded to Mr. al-Saei's allegations with a statement: "We operate in full accordance with the law, while ensuring the safety, welfare, and rights of all inmates under its custody. We are not aware of the claims described, and to the best of our knowledge, no such incidents have occurred under IPS responsibility." The IPS did not comment on whether an investigation had been launched or if medical records existed.
"Ahmed"'s Account
A Palestinian man identified as "Ahmed," residing in the West Bank, was arrested in January 2024. He was convicted of incitement to terrorism based on social media posts praising the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly Israeli, and 251 hostages. He received a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 3,000 shekels.
Ahmed alleged severe sexual abuse during his Israeli detention. He described three prison guards taking him into a bathroom, stripping him, forcing his head into a toilet, and having a guard stand on his head. He further alleged that a prison dog, named Messi, was used to sexually humiliate him by mounting his back. He stated that he screamed and was beaten until he nearly lost consciousness. Ahmed also claimed regular beatings, including to his genitals. He was released 12 days after the alleged sexual abuse, having completed his sentence.
Ahmed stated he does not possess medical documents related to his claims. The IPS did not provide a reply regarding Ahmed's allegations or inquiries about an investigation.
Developments Regarding Sde Teiman Prison
In August 2024, CCTV footage reportedly from Sde Teiman military prison in southern Israel surfaced, depicting a Palestinian detainee from Gaza allegedly being abused with a sharp object by soldiers, resulting in a pierced rectum. The alleged assault reportedly took place in July 2024. Five Israeli reservist soldiers were subsequently charged with aggravated abuse and causing serious bodily harm.
These five reservists held a press conference on Israeli television, with four appearing in masks and one revealing his face, all denying the charges. The footage was reportedly leaked by the Israeli military's top lawyer, Military Advocate General Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned in October. She stated her intention was to "counter false propaganda against the army's law enforcement authorities."
Support for the accused reservists has been demonstrated through protests outside Sde Teiman prison by far-right supporters. In July, during a parliamentary committee hearing, politician Hanoch Milwidsky (Likud party) stated that "everything is legitimate" for "Nukhba" (elite Hamas fighters) when questioned about the acceptability of raping a detainee. An opinion poll by the Israel Democracy Institute indicated that a majority of the Israeli public opposes investigating soldiers suspected of abusing Palestinians from Gaza.
Context of Detentions and Other Allegations
There are currently over 9,000 Palestinian security detainees in Israeli jails, nearly double the number prior to the October 7 attacks, with many held without charge.
The UN Committee against Torture condemned the October 7 attacks. It also expressed concern regarding Israel's response and the loss of life in Gaza.
Allegations of sexual abuse, rape, and torture by Hamas and its allies have also been made by some hostages abducted on October 7 and survivors of the attacks. Hamas has also carried out public executions of Palestinians in Gaza accused of collaborating with Israel.
Additionally, allegations of abuse exist within prisons operated by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in parts of the West Bank not under Israeli control. A former detainee reported being beaten and subjected to electric shocks by PA security officers. The PA has previously denied allegations of systematic abuse.