Torture Allegations: 7 Shocking Accounts Reveal Horrific Abuse of Palestinian Detainees in Israeli Custody

Several Palestinian detainees recently released from Israeli custody have shared harrowing testimonies of torture and inhumane treatment with the BBC. Among them, Mohammad Abu Tawileh described being doused with chemicals, set on fire, and subjected to beatings and acid burns. Other detainees reported electric shocks, sexual abuse, muzzled dog attacks, and denial of medical care. Many were held under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law without charges, allegedly for ties to Hamas, though none were found involved in the October 7 attacks.

Conditions at facilities like Sde Teiman and Ketziot prison were described as degrading, with detainees shackled naked, denied food and hygiene, and beaten regularly. A minor, Ahmed Abu Seif, had his toenails ripped out and endured tear gas and dog attacks. Two detainees claimed they witnessed deaths in custody due to violence and medical neglect. Legal experts say the described acts meet the definition of torture and violate both international and Israeli law.

Torture Allegations: 7 Shocking Accounts Reveal Horrific Abuse of Palestinian Detainees in Israeli Custody

Several Palestinians recently released from Israeli detention have shared harrowing accounts of torture and mistreatment during their imprisonment. These claims, reported by the BBC, include severe physical abuse, medical neglect, and degrading conditions in detention centers.

Disturbing Testimonies of Abuse

Mohammad Abu Tawileh, a 36-year-old mechanic, described being doused with chemicals, set on fire, and beaten by Israeli soldiers. He suffered severe burns that required skin grafts at a military field hospital. Photos and medical assessments later confirmed the extent of his injuries. Other detainees reported being subjected to electric shocks, dog attacks, and prolonged stress positions. Abdul Karim Mushtaha, a poultry worker, claimed he was stripped, beaten, and denied water while being held outdoors in freezing conditions.

Detention Conditions and Medical Neglect

Many detainees were initially held at the Sde Teiman military base, where they described being shackled naked to beds, forced to wear diapers, and humiliated regularly. Unsanitary conditions led to infections and skin diseases. Omar (a pseudonym) recalled avoiding showers because the water caused severe itching. Others reported losing as much as 30 kilograms due to food deprivation. Medical care was routinely denied—one detainee said guards told him, “As long as you’re breathing, you’re fine.”

Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Deaths in Custody

Some former detainees reported witnessing sexual abuse. Omar described guards forcing prisoners to perform sexual acts, though the BBC could not independently verify the claim. Others said fellow detainees died after beatings or due to denied medical treatment. Palestinian rights groups report that over 60 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since October 2023, although Israeli authorities attribute some of these deaths to pre-existing conditions.

Interrogations and Legal Concerns

Many detainees were interrogated about ties to Hamas or knowledge of hostages. None were formally charged, and Israeli officials did not confirm specific accusations. Held indefinitely under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law, detainees were denied legal representation and could not challenge their detention. Dr. Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, an international law expert, stated that the alleged abuses—such as chemical burns and electric shocks—amount to torture under international law.

Israeli Responses

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied systematic abuse but stated that some cases would be investigated. The Israel Prison Service (IPS) dismissed the allegations, insisting that detainees are treated lawfully. Neither institution addressed specific incidents, such as Abu Tawileh’s burns or Ahmed Abu Seif’s claim that his toenails were forcibly removed. Ahmed, detained at 17, described tear gas attacks and other abuse in a youth prison wing—allegations the IPS did not comment on.

Release and Aftermath

The detainees were released as part of a ceasefire agreement involving the exchange of nearly 1,900 Palestinians for 33 Israeli hostages. Upon their return to Gaza, many showed signs of malnutrition, scabies, and untreated injuries. Footage showed some wearing sweatshirts bearing a Star of David and the phrase, “We do not forget and we do not forgive.” Doctors at Gaza’s European Hospital confirmed widespread physical and psychological trauma among the returnees.

Ongoing Concerns

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not been granted access to detainees since October 2023, raising serious concerns about transparency. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas fear for their safety, as the group has denied Red Cross visits. For the released Palestinians, the trauma remains raw. Abu Tawileh’s family was shocked by the extent of his injuries, while Ahmed, now 18, expressed a desire to leave Gaza: “We were so broken, we wished for death, but it wouldn’t come.”

These testimonies underscore urgent calls for accountability, legal oversight, and humane treatment, highlighting the devastating human toll of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.