The Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners Affairs Minister has accused Israel of engaging in a retaliatory “war of revenge” against Palestinian detainees since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Allegations of mistreatment, including torture, rape, and other forms of abuse in Israeli prisons, have been vehemently denied by Israeli authorities.
PA’s Prisoners’ Affairs Authority head, Qadura Fares, stated that Palestinian prisoners are being treated as “hostages” and subjected to mistreatment as a form of pressure. The authority’s lawyer, Khaled MaHajjna, recounted disturbing accounts of abuse he heard from detained Gaza journalists Mohammed Arab and Tariq Abed at the Ofer detention center near Ramallah. These accounts included instances of forced nudity and the use of electric prods on inmates.
In response to mounting complaints from Palestinians, Israeli rights groups are advocating for the closure of Sde Teiman, a desert detention camp exclusively for detainees during the conflict with Hamas. The Israeli military has refuted claims of systematic abuse at the facility, asserting that they operate within international law.
MaHajjna detailed the deplorable conditions at Sde Teiman, where prisoners are reportedly handcuffed during meals and given meager portions of bread or tomatoes. He also mentioned instances where prisoners were allegedly beaten to death for seeking medical attention and subjected to attacks by guard dogs.
Five Israeli rights groups, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and Physicians for Human Rights, have taken legal action to address the violations at Sde Teiman. The high court has ordered the government to respond to the petition within three days, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, approximately 9,600 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails, with hundreds under administrative detention without formal charges. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
As the international community closely monitors the situation, calls for accountability and justice for Palestinian detainees grow louder. The allegations of abuse and mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated, and steps must be taken to ensure the humane treatment of all prisoners, regardless of their affiliations.
The plight of Palestinian detainees underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Respect for human rights and dignity should be at the forefront of any efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.