In its report titled “Welcome to Hell: Israeli prisons have become a network of torture camps,” B’Tselem included testimonies from 55 Palestinians, 30 from occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, 21 from the Gaza Strip, and 4 Arab Israeli citizens. These former details include doctors, female academics, lawyers, university students, children, and political leaders. It detailed the conditions they were subjected to in Israeli prisons after Israel launched its attacks on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
The report shows that Palestinians held in Israeli prisons are subjected to constant ill-treatment and torture, including sexual violence, humiliation, starvation, arbitrary and severe violence. Palestinians report that they face many adverse conditions in prisons, such as poor sanitation, sleep deprivation, restrictions on worship and the confiscation of their personal belongings.
Some of the statements in the report include:
“The testimonies of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons reveal that more than 12 prisons, both civilian and military, have been turned into torture camps for the systematic mistreatment of people. Anyone who enters these prisons risks being subjected to the most brutal torture.”
It was recorded that there were approximately 5,192 Palestinians in Israeli prisons before October 7, 2023. However, as of July 2024, this number had increased to 9,623. It was stated that 4,781 of the detained Palestinians were being held in “administrative detention” without trial or charge.
The report notes that Israeli forces illegally detained thousands of Gazan workers who were in Israel and had work permits immediately after October 7. During this period, hundreds of Palestinians were taken to unknown locations, some of whom were still being held and were prevented from informing their relatives. Families, lawyers and human rights organizations have attempted to investigate detainee lists and detention centres, but most have been rejected. Israeli courts have stated that they are not obliged to provide information on details.
Administrative Detention Practice
Israel can hold Palestinians for 1 to 6 months without charge or trial, under a practice called “administrative detention.” Military courts can extend the detention period to 5 years without disclosing the crime the detail of the accused, on the grounds that they “pose a danger to Israel’s security.”
What’s Happening in the Gaza Strip
Since October 7, Israel has launched attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing 39,623 Palestinians, including at least 16,314 children and 10,980 women. In addition, 91,469 people have been injured. While it is reported that thousands of martyrs are still buried under the rubble, hospitals and educational institutions where people have sought refugee have been targeted, causing serious damage to civilian infrastructure.
