Israeli Prisons Become Torture Camps, Haaretz Report Alleges Systemic Abuse

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, in a field report by Hagar Shezaf and Nir Hasson, has revealed that Israeli prisons and detention centers have transformed into torture camps for Palestinians over the last three years. Thousands of Palestinian detainees are reportedly subjected to a deliberate policy of starvation, severe violence, and the rampant spread of diseases, all under the direct support and supervision of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli regime’s Internal Security Minister.

The report specified that out of 9,329 Palestinian prisoners held in detention as of last September, only 16 percent have had indictments issued against them. Meanwhile, 34 percent are held under “administrative detention” without charge, 34 percent are awaiting interrogation, and another group is detained under the classification of “illegal combatants,” a designation contrary to international laws.

Accounts of Released Detainees: Starvation, Torture, and Violent Assaults

The report detailed the accounts of five Palestinian prisoners recently released from “Megiddo,” “Nafha,” “Ketziot,” “Ofer,” and “Damon” prisons:

Ali Samoudi, a journalist from Jenin, stated that he was released after a year of administrative detention without charge. He lost 60 kilograms of his initial 120-kilogram weight and developed 10 chronic illnesses due to starvation, medical negligence, and consumption of spoiled or expired food. He reported brutal treatment by guards, forcing detainees to strip for humiliating inspections, firing rubber bullets inside bathrooms, and preventing medical treatment for Palestinian prisoners.

Hebe Alawi, a Palestinian female prisoner from Hebron and the head of her family, was released after approximately five months of imprisonment in “Damon” prison. She lost 36 kilograms of her weight and was tortured during raids with severe beatings, electric shocks, gas spray, and physical abuse, resulting in the tearing of her nails, broken teeth, and severe uterine bleeding.

Samer Khuyra from Nablus recounted being released after nine months of administrative detention on charges of media activity, during which he lost 22 kilograms. Khuyra described daily humiliating methods, including handcuffing prisoners and moving them in a “domino” style, and being struck with knees by guards, which led to two broken ribs. He stated that he received no treatment for these tortures. He also spoke of the widespread scabies infestation in the regime’s prisons, turning prisoners into “walking dead” with blood and inflammation oozing from their bodies, yet receiving no medication.

Rabie Abu Naim from Ramallah said he was held in administrative detention for nine months due to peaceful activities against settler attacks. He lost 15 kilograms and was given extremely meager food rations, forcing him to exchange bread pieces with others for a decent meal. He was tortured with electric shocks, beatings with knees and weapons, police dogs unleashed on prisoners, and rubber bullets fired into cells. Despite bone fractures and severe pain, he was denied treatment.

These investigations acknowledged the deliberate collusion and time-wasting by the Israeli regime’s courts concerning the tortures occurring in its prisons. The report stated that there is no genuine judicial oversight or attention to the conditions of the detainees, and the judicial system has become a tool to legitimize the authorities’ actions and regularly extend administrative detentions.