Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Resistance is a source of power for Lebanon that must be preserved.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" must implement the agreement as Lebanon has already done so, and any new accord would amount to absolving it and opening the door to further attacks.
Sheikh Qassem: We do not wish to assume anyone's role; those accusing us of this must cease their accusations.
Sheikh Qassem: We will recover our lands through national solidarity; Resistance's goal is national liberation, while enemy goal is occupation.
Sheikh Qassem: Protection of sovereignty protects Lebanon. It is in real danger because of US belligerence, greedy Israeli expansion.
Qassem to Lebanese people: We are not asking for support but for us not to be stabbed in the back in the back or for some to serve Israeli interests; government is primary party responsible for [preservation of] sovereignty.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" can occupy, but it cannot persist in occupation of our land.
Sheikh Qassem: Intimidation will not change our stance of resistance and steadfastness. We are not advocates of surrender or defeat, and we will never accept it.
Sheikh Qassem: Where does US stand regarding enemy's unjustified assassination of a government worker and other civilian martyrs?
Sheikh Qassem: Is the Lebanese Army's defense of its land and citizens an accusation [leveled against it]? Where does US stand regarding the enemy's killing of civilians and constant destruction?

Palestinians' testimonies reveal torture, sexual abuse in 'Israel'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Independent
  • 30 Mar 2025 16:01
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

A special investigation by The Independent uncovers severe abuse against Palestinians in Israeli detention centers, including rape, torture, medical neglect, and killings in custody.

Listen
  • x
  • A Palestinian prisoner on a wheelchair is greeted upon his arrival after being released from an Israeli prison in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday Jan. 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
    A Palestinian prisoner in a wheelchair is greeted upon his arrival after being released from an Israeli prison in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 (AP)

An investigation by The Independent has uncovered severe accusations of abuse against Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, including torture, sexual violence, medical neglect, and killings. Testimonies from former detainees, autopsy reports, and leaked military indictments paint a harrowing picture of the brutal Israeli policies.

One case detailed in an Israeli military indictment describes five reservists beating, electrocuting, and sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at a military base. The injuries were so severe that he required hospitalization for a punctured lung, fractured ribs, and rectal surgery. Despite the brutality, he had not been charged with any crime.

Sexual abuse: Israeli 'method of war'

The United Nations has accused Israeli forces of employing sexual violence as a “method of war,” stating that such acts were carried out either “under explicit orders or with implicit encouragement by Israel’s top civilian and military leadership.” "Israel" has refused to cooperate with the UN investigation.

Since  October 7, mass arrests of Palestinians have surged, with the number of detainees nearly doubling to 10,000. Many are held without charge or trial, and some have been released only to be rearrested.

Related News

Australian women soldiers sue over ‘systemic’ sexual violence in ADF

French court to rule on surgeon who assaulted over 300 patients

Autopsy reports obtained by The Independent indicate signs of severe physical abuse. One detainee who died in Megiddo prison in November 2023 was found with broken ribs, bruising across his body, and internal bleeding. Another man who died in Kishon jail in December 2024 suffered “multiple signs of physical assault” and “excessive use of restraints,” leading to traumatic brain bleeding. A physician who has conducted multiple autopsies on behalf of Palestinian families described cases of broken ribs, lacerated organs, and blunt force trauma.

Israeli soldiers instructed to use brutal force against Palestinian detainees

Within the Israeli detention system, two facilities—Sde Teiman military base and a new detention center at Ofer prison—have emerged as focal points for accusations of mistreatment. A leaked testimony from an Israeli guard at Sde Teiman reveals that soldiers were encouraged to be violent toward Palestinian detainees. He recalled being told, “Shut up, you leftist, these are Gazans, these are terrorists, what’s wrong with you?” when he questioned the abuse.

Detainees from Sde Teiman reported being subjected to relentless loud music in a room dubbed the “disco”, with one detainee saying, “The trance music is meant to psychologically weaken you before the investigation.” Others described beatings, dog attacks, and electric shocks, with one stating, “Some people lost their hearing because blood came out of their ears due to the electric shocks.”

Medical neglect has also been widely reported. One autopsy found that a 20-year-old detainee with a medical condition requiring specialized care was denied treatment, leading to fatal complications. 

Among those detained are healthcare workers, including prominent Palestinian doctors. Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a respected surgeon, died in Ofer prison in April under unknown circumstances. His widow, Yasmine, recounted accounts from his cellmates: “Before [Adnan’s] arrest, he weighed 90 kilograms, but his weight apparently dropped significantly to around 55 kg. He received very little food, just enough to keep him alive.”

Human rights groups estimate that at least 5,000 Palestinians are being held in administrative detention—without charge, trial, or access to evidence against them. Some detainees, including minors, have reportedly been brought before Israeli judges via video calls without legal representation.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied access to Palestinian detainees since the Israeli war on Gaza began—a situation it describes as unprecedented. “This is the longest we have been without access to Israeli detention centers in decades,” a spokesperson said.

  • Sexual abuse
  • Palestine
  • torture
  • israeli prisons
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israeli occupation forces
  • Israeli occupation
  • Palestinian detainees

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
The secret cloud deal: Google and Amazon “winking” pact with 'Israel'

With a 'wink', Israeli control over Google, Amazon cloud data exposed

  • Technology
  • 29 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Israeli Occupation Forces paratroopers clear ammunition from their weapons before Al-Quds' Old City, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' orders seizure of over 5,800 dunams of Anata, al-Quds

AP
Economy

Ukraine war threatens dollar stability: The Independent

Israeli settlers stand near members of Israeli forces blocking access for Palestinians to an area for harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Sair, near al-Khalil, Thursday, October 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OCHA: Settler attacks on olive harvest in West Bank reach 5-year high

A Block V Tomahawk off the recertification production line at Raytheon's Camden, Ark. facility in March 2021. (Photo courtesy of Raytheon)
Politics

Pentagon approves Tomahawk supply to Ukraine, awaits Trump's final nod

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS