RAMALLAH/PNN / 

 Palestinian detainees from Gaza held in Israeli military camps and prisons are facing systematic torture, inhumane treatment, and dire living conditions, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) and the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs.

Lawyers who recently visited 11 detainees at the Sde Teiman, Naftali, and Anatot military camps, as well as Naqab prison, reported testimonies detailing physical abuse, extreme deprivation, and degrading treatment. The organizations described the accounts as evidence of an escalating pattern of abuse against Palestinian prisoners, particularly those arrested from Gaza.

Testimonies of Abuse and Deprivation

Detainees described enduring prolonged periods of torture, including exposure to loud music for days—referred to as the “disco interrogation method”—alongside sleep deprivation, stress positions, and intentional starvation.

Lawyers noted visible signs of excessive use of restraints and other physical abuse. Some detainees reported severe beatings during their arrest, leaving them with fractures and untreated injuries.

At the Anatot military camp, a detainee identified as Y.F. recounted being dragged by his jacket and kept blindfolded at all times. He was subjected to two days of continuous loud music at Sde Teiman before being transferred. When he appeared in an Israeli military court 30 days after his arrest, the hearing lasted five minutes, and he was not informed of the charges against him.

Another detainee, M.Y., said he was held at Sde Teiman for four days under similar conditions before being moved to Anatot. He endured daily interrogations, beatings that caused heavy bleeding, and extreme restrictions, including being forced to remain in stress positions for long hours. He was also denied access to hygiene products and a change of clothing for weeks.

Prisoners at both Anatot and Sde Teiman described conditions where detainees were forced to sit for hours on their knees or backsides, deprived of adequate food, and punished for requesting to use the restroom. Those caught attempting to pray faced additional punishment.

Overcrowding and Medical Neglect

At Sde Teiman, detainees reported being given minimal hygiene supplies, with 55 prisoners receiving only three tissues. Some described untreated medical conditions, including fractures and infections.

In Naqab prison, detainees reported ongoing food deprivation and the spread of scabies due to poor hygiene. Some prisoners said they had not been provided with basic grooming tools, such as razors or nail clippers, for over two months.

Unclear Numbers, Enforced Disappearances

Palestinian rights organizations say they are unable to determine the exact number of detainees from Gaza held in Israeli custody due to a widespread pattern of enforced disappearances. In January, Israel’s prison administration reported holding 1,886 detainees from Gaza under the “illegal combatants” law, which operates similarly to administrative detention in the occupied West Bank. Among them are three female detainees held in Damon prison, as well as dozens of minors at Megiddo and Ofer military camps.

Israeli authorities have reportedly established special military camps to hold detainees from Gaza, separate from central prisons. Known camps include Sde Teiman, Anatot, Ofer, and Naftali. At Naftali, at least 57 detainees from Gaza and 11 from Lebanon have been identified.

Deaths in Custody and Allegations of War Crimes

Since October 2024, at least 58 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli custody, including 37 arrested from Gaza, according to prisoners’ rights groups. These deaths include alleged extrajudicial executions during arrests. The Israeli authorities have not disclosed the identities of all detainees who have died.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) remains barred from visiting Palestinian detainees, despite international legal standards requiring access.

Palestinian human rights groups have urged international organizations to pressure Israel to allow monitoring of detention conditions and hold its leaders accountable for alleged violations of international law.

Calls for International Action

PPS and the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs called for increased international pressure, including sanctions, to hold Israeli officials accountable. They said Western governments' continued support for Israel has allowed it to commit alleged war crimes without facing consequences.

“The exceptional immunity granted to Israel by colonial states has enabled it to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity while evading accountability for far too long,” the statement read.