Eyewitness Accounts: Torture Allegations in Israeli Detention from Gaza Detainees

Several Palestinian detainees released from Israeli detention have alleged severe mistreatment, including physical torture and chemical burns, prompting calls for accountability and investigation into these practices by Israeli authorities.

Palestinian detainees who have recently returned to Gaza have shared harrowing testimonies of alleged torture and maltreatment endured while held in Israeli military and prison facilities. Released as part of a ceasefire deal, these individuals detailed abuses ranging from physical assaults to the use of chemicals during interrogations, shedding light on the treatment of individuals under Israeli custody.

One detainee, Mohammad Abu Tawileh, claimed he was assaulted with chemicals that resulted in severe burns, describing a traumatic experience where he was set on fire: "I thrashed around like an animal in an attempt to put the fire out on my body," he recounted. His testimony aligns with the experiences of four other men who have raised similar allegations against the Israeli authorities. These released individuals were arrested in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack, during which approximately 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and 251 were taken hostage.

The released detainees were held without charge under the Unlawful Combatants Law, ostensibly due to suspicions of having links to Hamas. They reported being stripped, blindfolded, and subjected to severe beatings, electric shocks, and denied medical care. One man reported having his head dunked in chemicals, while others told of witnessing deaths from neglect and violence. Their allegations were conveyed to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Prison Service (IPS), both of which denied systematic abuse, insisting that detailed investigations would be conducted regarding the allegations raised.

International legal experts have weighed in, stating that the treatment detailed by the detainees is inconsistent with both international and Israeli law and may amount to torture. The reports have drawn comparisons to other documented abuses in Israeli facilities and have flagged serious concerns regarding detainee treatment amidst ongoing conflict.

As the testimonies of the five released men emerged, broader concerns were highlighted about the conditions faced by approximately 63 Palestinian prisoners who have reportedly died in Israeli custody since October 2023, raising urgent calls for transparency and accountability in military detention practices.

Returning to Gaza, the detainees faced a mix of celebration and despair; many expressed hopes of leaving the region due to the memories of torture and the onslaught of war. The situation remains critical, with calls for further action and international oversight regarding the conditions of detainees in Israeli custody and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.