Bruises and broken ribs: Over 60 Palestinian deaths in Israeli prisons
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Reports indicate that autopsies of deceased Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons revealed bruises and broken ribs on most of the bodies, suggesting being subjected to torture.
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Palestinian detainees released by Israeli occupation forces through the Karem Abu Salem crossing wait to receive treatment after they were subjected to torture by Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on December 23, 2023. (AP)
An Israeli military report, responding to an inquiry from the independent watchdog group Physicians for Human Rights Israel, revealed that 44 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli military custody between October 7 and July 2.
The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed the report, also conducted its analysis, cross-referencing death notices from Palestinian authorities with figures from Israeli human rights organizations. This investigation uncovered an additional 16 deaths in prisons, which are managed separately from military detention facilities. Israeli officials have yet to release autopsy reports or causes of death for the majority of these cases.
Ben-Gvir defends 'harsh' prison conditions and calls for executing Palestinians
Since October 7, Israeli occupation forces have detained thousands of individuals from Gaza, raising the total number of Palestinian detainees—including those from the West Bank and before the ongoing war—to over 9,000, according to figures from the Israeli Prison Service provided to the Israeli human rights group Hamoked.
A document signed in late June by the head of "Israel’s" internal security service, Shin Bet, and reviewed by the Journal, warned that the conditions in which Palestinians are held might violate the UN convention against torture. The document called for increased access by the Red Cross and criticized Israeli prison practices as abuse.
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Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician in charge of the prison system, admitted in June to intentionally impose "harsh" conditions on Palestinian detainees, including cutting food rations. He stressed that these measures were part of a crackdown on Palestinians. Ben-Gvir, who has previously labeled Palestinian prisoners as "human scum", also called in April for some detainees to be executed to address overcrowding in the prison system.
“Everything published about the abominable conditions of these vile murderers in prison was true,” said Ben-Gvir in July, in reference to news reports about the torture and sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees.
Palestinian prisoners in "Israel's" Ofer prison recount the unspeakable horrors of being stripped, beaten, and blindfolded by Israeli forces, describing themselves as prey to "rabid beasts" who took pleasure in their suffering, leaving them clinging to hope despite relentless… pic.twitter.com/dHafdEESyo
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 5, 2024
“One of the highest goals I have set for myself is to worsen the conditions of the terrorists in the prisons, and to reduce their rights to the minimum required by law,” he said.
Autopsies expose signs of violence in Palestinian prisoner deaths
Doctors from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, the watchdog group, attended the autopsies of two Palestinian detainees from the occupied West Bank who died while in custody. According to reports reviewed by the Journal, the autopsies revealed bruises and broken ribs on the bodies, suggesting violence. Additionally, a third prisoner died after being denied treatment for a serious pre-existing condition, as reported by a doctor from the human rights group following the autopsy.
In recent interviews, a dozen released detainees reported being beaten by prison guards, often with batons and fists. Two detainees also recalled being sexually assaulted by Israeli guards, including having objects inserted into their anuses.
Palestinian lawyer Khaled Mahagna recounts shocking testimonies from Palestinian detainees stating that Israeli soldiers have raped Palestinian prisoners to death in detention.
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) July 15, 2024
Israel has kidnapped more than 9,500 Palestinians since the beginning of its genocide in Gaza,… pic.twitter.com/0RmjpcSXqD
These accounts are corroborated by medical personnel and lawyers who have visited Israeli detention facilities, where they observed signs of abuse, such as bruises on detainees’ limbs. The reports are consistent with documentation from lawyers detailing detainees’ allegations of assault.
This report contributes to a growing body of evidence documenting abuse, sexual assault, and the systematic denial of food and medical care experienced by Palestinians in the Israeli prison system.
It comes on the heels of a recently released video depicting a gang rape incident at Sde Teiman, further drawing attention to the inhumane conditions within Israeli prisons and concentration camps. However, despite this extensive documentation of evidence, "Israel" continues to enjoy impunity for its actions, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which violates multiple tenets of international law, human justice, and ethical standards.
Read next: Schism in 'Israel': Detained soldiers accused of rape called 'heroes'
