Guardian interviews and a B’Tselem report reveal widespread mistreatment in Israeli prisons, with conditions described as “torture camps.”

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have described severe and systemic abuse, including violence, starvation, and humiliation, according to interviews conducted by The Guardian and a detailed report by the human rights organization B’Tselem. The findings suggest that the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees has become so entrenched that B’Tselem now characterizes Israeli prisons as “torture camps.”

The investigation involved interviews with 55 former prisoners from 16 Israeli prison facilities and detention centres run by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The testimonies revealed patterns of abuse ranging from physical beatings and sexual violence to severe deprivation of basic needs such as food, water, and sanitation.

Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B’Tselem, expressed shock at the scale of the abuse, stating, “We were shocked by the scale of what we heard. It is uncomfortable as an Israeli-Palestinian organisation to say Israel is running torture camps. But we realized that is what we are looking at.”

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has denied these claims, asserting that it operates according to the law and under the supervision of the state comptroller. The IDF also rejected allegations of systematic abuse, maintaining that conditions for detainees have improved.

The report comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s detention practices following the October 7 Hamas attack, which has seen a dramatic increase in the number of detainees and reports of abuse. At least 60 individuals have died in custody since the escalation, compared to a handful in previous years.

The Guardian’s interviews corroborate B’Tselem’s findings, with former detainees describing a range of abuses including severe overcrowding, denial of medical care, and inhumane conditions. Testimonies included accounts of beatings, sexual assault, and starvation, as well as deprivation of basic necessities and rights.

One former detainee, Firas Hassan, described a dramatic deterioration in conditions after early 2023, following the appointment of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He detailed extreme overcrowding and inadequate food and water supplies, as well as physical abuse by guards. Hassan reported losing 22 kg due to the harsh conditions.

The abuse is not seen as isolated incident but as part of a broader pattern of systematic mistreatment. Former prisoners reported witnessing severe violence and degradation, including the deaths of detainees under brutal circumstances.

Analysis:

Political:

The revelations about systemic abuse in Israeli jails come at a time of heightened tension and scrutiny of Israeli policies. The detailed accounts of abuse and the response from Israeli authorities highlight the complex and contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of addressing human rights concerns in such a context.

Social:

The abuse described in the report underscores severe human rights violations that impact not only the detainees but also the broader Palestinian community. The normalization of such abuse raises critical questions about justice, accountability, and the treatment of political prisoners.

Racial:

The mistreatment of Palestinian detainees highlights ongoing racial and ethnic tensions. The systemic abuse experienced by Palestinian prisoners reflects broader issues of discrimination and human rights abuses within the Israeli occupation.

Gender:

The abuse of female detainees, including the denial of sanitary products, reflects gender-specific aspects of the mistreatment. The broader implications for women in detention emphasize the need for gender-sensitive approaches to human rights and detention conditions.

Economic:

The economic impact of the detention system includes the costs associated with managing overcrowded and abusive prison conditions. The strain on resources and the broader implications for the Palestinian economy and social structure are significant.