Washington Post exposes brutal abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons

American publication Washington Post has released a detailed investigation into the widespread violence against Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

Through interviews with former detainees, representatives from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and an examination of autopsy reports, the report revealed alarming abuses.

The report details a harrowing case where a Palestinian detainee was fatally beaten by prison guards, resulting in broken ribs.

Another detainee died from untreated chronic illness and a third succumbed after pleading for help for hours with no intervention.

Autopsy reports verified by the NGO Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) confirm that these three individuals are among at least 13 Palestinians who have died in Israeli prisons since Oct.7, with a significant number from the West Bank or Israel.

The exact number of detainees from Gaza who have died remains unknown.

Human rights organizations have reported a severe deterioration in conditions within Israel’s overcrowded prisons, accompanied by pervasive violence.

Jessica Montell, Executive Director of the Israeli human rights organization Hamoked, told the Washington Post: “Violence is pervasive. The overcrowding is extreme. Every prisoner we spoke to has lost 30 kilograms (66.13 pounds).”

Tal Steiner, Executive Director of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, attributed the human rights violations to the “atmosphere of revenge” prevailing in the country.

Steiner described the violence in the prisons as a troubling “combination” of political support and a lack of accountability.