Israel torturing Palestinian detainees from Gaza: UN Report

According to a United Nations Human Rights office report released on Tuesday, thousands of Palestinians have been forcibly removed from Gaza and detained in Israel, where some have been tortured and dozens have died.

The 23-page report, based on interviews with released detainees and other victims and witnesses, highlights severe abuses, including the use of dogs and waterboarding.

Detention under dire conditions

Many Palestinian detainees were seized at checkpoints while fleeing Israel’s military offensive or from schools and hospitals where they were sheltering. The report describes how detainees were often blindfolded, shackled, transported to Israel, and placed in “cage-like” military centers, where they were forced to wear diapers for prolonged periods.

The U.N. report indicates that 53 detainees have died in custody.

“The testimonies gathered by my office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, such as waterboarding and the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” said United Nations High Commissioner Volker Turk. He called for the immediate release of detainees and the remaining hostages from the October 7 attack in Israel.

Growing reports of abuse

The Israeli military is reportedly investigating the allegations but has declined to comment on specific cases. The military plans to phase out the Sde Teiman camp in the Negev desert, which is cited in the U.N. report and by Palestinian rights groups as a location of detainee abuse.

Reports of detainee mistreatment in Israeli prisons have been increasing. Many detainees were held in secret, without being informed of the reasons for their detention or given access to legal representation. The report also mentions instances of detainees being forced to strip and subjected to sexual violence.

International and domestic pressure

The issue of detainee abuse has added to international pressure on Israel regarding its conduct in the Gaza war, now approaching its 11th month. In May, the U.S. State Department announced it was investigating allegations of Israeli abuse of Palestinian detainees.

The U.N. report also highlights the harsh conditions endured by Israeli hostages in Gaza, including a lack of fresh air, sunlight, and reports of beatings, based on testimonies from those freed.

The Palestinian detainees in Israel are primarily men and boys, including residents, doctors, nurses, patients, and captured Hamas militants. The report, which was shared with the Israeli government and Palestinian authorities, did not specify the number of detainees released. A U.N. spokesperson stated it was impossible to determine.