Palestinians forced out of Gaza and detained in Israel since the October 7 outbreak of the conflict have been poorly treated, according to a recent report from the UN Human Rights Office. The report which was released on Tuesday, states that many detainees were badly tortured with dozens dying in custody.
Detainment by force and alleged maltreatment
The report, which is 23 pages long, contains accounts by released detainees, victims and witnesses who state how Palestinians were picked up at checkpoints as they fled the ongoing military offensive or seized from schools and hospitals where they sought shelter. It describes terrible conditions such as blindfolding detainees, their shackling and then moving them to “cage-like” military centers in Israel sometimes with just diapers on.
According to this UN study 53 Palestinian prisoners died while being held in Israeli jails. Some of these testimonies include waterboarding of detainees, release of dogs on them among other abuses that are contrary to international human rights and humanitarian laws.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk commented at a press conference over these findings saying: “the testimonies gathered by my Office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law”. He added that all the remaining hostages must be let go without delay including those taken during the October 7th attacks in Israel.
Israeli response and global reactions
Israel has admitted it is looking into allegations about detainee maltreatment but has said nothing about specific cases. The Sde Teiman camp located at Negev desert was mentioned as one site allegedly involved in abuse according to both Palestinian rights groups and United Nations’ reports.
The treatment of detainees is among several factors currently piling pressure on Israel internationally due to its behavior during the Gaza operation. In May this year, US State Department expressed concerns over claims that Israelis abused Palestinians thus promising investigations into whether indeed these happened. These allegations have also sparked domestic tensions within Israel with right-wing protesters breaking into military compounds this week where soldiers were to be questioned over alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee.
Terrible conditions where detainees and hostages are held
The report highlights the terrible conditions faced by Palestinian detainees, including men and boys as well as residents, doctors, nurses and patients or captured Palestinian fighters. Although sexual violence has been mentioned in the report, no numbers have been given. They were often detained secretly for undefined reasons and without any access to legal counsel.
The report also provides information about the awful condition of Israeli hostages in Gaza according to testimonies from those who have managed to regain their freedom. Such hostages lacked fresh air, sunshine, and they could experience physical assault.
Ongoing concerns and calls for action
A UN spokesman who declined to state the exact number mentioned that it is impossible now to ascertain how many detainees have so far been released out of all those that had been arrested following the investigation on this matter which was shared with both Israeli government and Palestine authorities.
