Nearly 100 Palestinian Prisoners Died in Israeli Custody, Human Rights Group Reports
A human rights group, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), recently revealed that at least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. However, the actual number of deaths is suspected to be significantly higher due to hundreds of missing detainees.
Background and Context
According to the report, the majority of these deaths are linked to physical violence, medical neglect, and malnutrition. The Israeli army has reportedly classified less than one-third of those Palestinians detained from Gaza as militants, suggesting that most of the victims were civilians.
The findings were compiled from a variety of sources including freedom of information requests, forensic reports, and interviews with lawyers, activists, relatives, and witnesses. As per PHRI, the death toll of Palestinians in Israeli jails is likely to be substantially higher because hundreds of people detained in Gaza remain missing.
Key Developments
The surge in Palestinian prisoner deaths has been associated with systematic abuse and neglect, with claims of it being business as usual
in the Israeli prisons. In addition to physical abuse, there have been reports of sexual torture, including rape and sexual assault, perpetrated against the prisoners.
Moreover, a report by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) based on testimonies from recently released detainees revealed an organized and systematic practice of sexual torture.
Implications and Reactions
The international community has expressed grave concern over these findings. Tehran condemned the Israeli regime’s continued killings of Palestinians and blatant violations of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank.
Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, the collective punishment of the territory’s population continues, leading to further vulnerability and deprivation among Palestinians.
Conclusion
The report by PHRI has shed light on the grim situation of Palestinians held in Israeli custody, with a significantly high death toll and allegations of systematic torture and neglect. However, the actual magnitude of the situation is feared to be much worse due to the number of detainees who remain unaccounted for. Amid these alarming revelations, calls for justice, accountability, and an end to human rights violations in the region are growing louder.