Torture Camps: Israel’s Genocidal Prison System
Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Prisons Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment
The Prisoners and Released Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Prisoners Association have released a joint statement detailing the harrowing experiences of 23 Palestinians who were visited in the Negev Prison and Neftali (Nafha) Camp between 6-8 January 2025.
According to the statement, Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons reported being victims of torture, ill-treatment, starvation, medical neglect, severe beatings, and pressure. Additionally, a scabies epidemic has broken out among the prisoners.
The testimonies of detainees in various Israeli prisons and camps, particularly in the Negev and Ofer, reveal a consistent pattern of systematic torture and brutality.
One detainee, 45-year-old KN, revealed, “Since my detention, I have been severely beaten to extract a confession, resulting in fractures on my body. I was kept in a military camp near Gaza for 58 days.” KN also described being subjected to burns from guards throwing hot water on him from an electric kettle.
Another detainee, 21-year-old AH, shared his account of being detained while his family was forced to migrate. He described the agonizing journey from one camp to another, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of each transfer.
Commenting on the dire conditions in Israeli prisons, Palestinian KC stated, “We live in hell. We are faced with hunger, with the food provided being inadequate and unsuitable for humans.”
Another detainee, MD, disclosed losing his artificial eye as a result of severe beatings. He also mentioned the harsh treatment he endured while being detained in one of the asylum centers.
Since Israel’s aggressive offensive on the Gaza Strip, reports from Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights organizations have documented cases of torture, starvation, and disease spread in Israeli prisons. The number of Palestinians detained in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem alone has reached 14,300, with an estimated additional 1000 detainees in the Gaza Strip.
The joint statement highlighted the detention of civilians, including women, children, healthcare workers, and civil defense workers by the Israeli army. The ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the death and injury of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is crucial for international bodies to address and condemn the human rights abuses faced by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
