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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

French court to rule on surgeon who assaulted over 300 patients

Sexual abuse of Gaza detainees in Israeli prisons going rampant

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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