The United Nations Human Rights Office recently released a report detailing severe mistreatment and torture faced by Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities following the Oct. 7 attacks. The report revealed disturbing practices such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation, electric shocks, and the release of dogs on detainees. Israel’s prison service reportedly held over 9,400 “security detainees” as of June, with some being held in secret without legal representation.
The report, based on interviews with former detainees and various sources, highlighted the alarming number of individuals subjected to such abuses, including men, women, children, journalists, and human rights defenders. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk denounced these actions as clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The findings of the report, considered one of the most comprehensive of its kind, could potentially aid International Criminal Court prosecutors investigating crimes related to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas and Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Earlier, the ICC’s chief prosecutor sought arrest warrants for leaders of both Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The report also pointed out that detainees from Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank were affected, with Israel failing to disclose the fate or locations of many individuals. The International Committee of the Red Cross was reportedly denied access to these detention facilities. The mistreatment described in the report included detainees being held naked in cage-like facilities, enduring food and sleep deprivation, electric shocks, and releases of dogs on them.
Additionally, reports of waterboarding, suspension from ceilings, and sexual and gender-based violence were noted. The report also criticized the Palestinian Authority for arbitrary detentions and mistreatment in the West Bank, allegedly to suppress dissent and political opposition. Recently, an Israeli military court extended the detention of eight out of nine soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian at the Sde Teiman facility.
The widespread violence in Gaza ensued after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. Israel’s response led to extensive destruction in Gaza, prompting a mass exodus of the population. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 39,000 Palestinian deaths, with no distinction between civilians and combatants in the count.
