RAMALLAH, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), A new report by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem documents testimonies from freed Palestinian prisoners describing systematic sexual abuse, starvation, and severe mistreatment inside Israeli prisons.
The report cites former detainees who said they were subjected to brutal beatings, humiliation, and sexual assaults and sexually charged threats during interrogation and detention. Some prisoners reported suffering serious injuries and burns as a result of deliberate physical abuse.
B’Tselem said the testimonies also point to a deliberate policy of starvation, with detainees receiving severely restricted food and water rations. In some cases, meals consisted only of spoiled bread and a single cucumber, while prisoners were allowed just one bottle of water per day.
The report further documented the denial of medical treatment and basic health care, alongside harsh living conditions marked by water shortages and the absence of minimum hygiene standards.
In response, the Asra Media Office affiliated with Hamas said the findings confirm that Palestinian prisoners are being subjected to systematic torture, calling on the international community to take urgent action to hold Israel accountable, end the violations, and ensure protection for detainees.
Israeli prisons have long faced criticism from rights groups over the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Repeated reports have documented physical and psychological abuse, deprivation of food, water, and medical care, and other practices that constitute serious violations of international law and fundamental human rights.
