Shocking Torture of Gaza Doctors: 5 Disturbing Allegations Against Israeli Forces
Palestinian doctors in Gaza have accused Israeli forces of unlawful arrests, torture, and forced confessions. Dr. Khaled Al-Serr, a surgeon, said he was stripped, used as a human shield, and severely beaten in detention, suffering broken ribs while being handcuffed for months. The UN reported that 15 more medical workers were killed while trying to rescue the wounded in Rafah. Human rights groups claim over 250 Palestinian healthcare workers have been imprisoned since October 2023, with at least 180 still held without charges.
Reports also detail cases of extreme abuse, including sexual violence and psychological torture, with detainees suffering severe trauma. One renowned surgeon, Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, died in custody after reportedly losing half his body weight due to mistreatment. Israeli authorities deny systemic abuse but claim hospitals have been misused for militant activity, though little evidence has been provided. With Gaza’s healthcare system near collapse and hospitals barely functioning, the targeting of medical workers has raised global alarm.
Shocking Torture of Gaza Doctors: 5 Disturbing Allegations Against Israeli Forces
Palestinian doctors in Gaza have accused Israeli forces of unlawfully detaining and torturing medical staff, alleging electric shocks, forced use as human shields, and severe physical abuse. These claims emerge alongside reports of escalating violence against healthcare workers and facilities, further deepening the crisis in Gaza’s already devastated medical system.
Detentions and Alleged Torture
Dr. Khaled Al-Serr, a surgeon at Al-Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, shared his harrowing experience of being detained during an Israeli military raid in March. He described being stripped naked alongside four others, forced to act as human shields, and later transported to a detention center in southern Israel. During his three-month imprisonment, he claims he was kept handcuffed at all times—even while sleeping—severely beaten, and pressured to confess to unspecified crimes. He suffered broken ribs and was denied medical care.
Similar stories have emerged from other healthcare workers. Dr. Iyas al-Bursh, a general practitioner from Al-Shifa Hospital, reported enduring months of detention filled with beatings, electric shocks, and psychological torture. He alleges he was denied contact with his family or access to legal representation. Some detainees have described even more extreme abuse, including sexual violence. One young man, according to Dr. Al-Serr, suffered severe psychological trauma after being raped and falsely told his family had been killed in a bombing as punishment for refusing to confess.
Systematic Attacks on Healthcare
The United Nations has accused Israel of systematically targeting Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, warning that these actions could constitute war crimes. A UN commission stated that the destruction appears deliberate, aiming to cripple medical services vital to civilians. Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, over 1,000 medical professionals have been killed, and the majority of Gaza’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. The UN also reports that 15 medical workers were recently killed while attempting to rescue injured people in Rafah.
According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), more than 250 Palestinian healthcare workers have been detained since October, with at least 180 still imprisoned without formal charges. Dr. Guy Shalev of PHRI warned that targeting medical personnel violates international law and worsens Gaza’s healthcare collapse, urging the international community to intervene before such practices become normalized.
Israel’s Response and Denials
The Israeli military denies deliberately targeting medical workers but claims hospitals have been used as Hamas operation centers. However, little evidence has been provided to support these assertions. While the military acknowledged one investigation into abuse at the Sde Teiman detention center—where guards were charged with stabbing a prisoner—it insists that such incidents are isolated and maintains that some detained medics have alleged ties to militant groups.
Deaths in Custody and Broken Families
The death of Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a prominent surgeon, in Israeli custody last April has drawn widespread condemnation. His wife, Yasmine, learned from former detainees that he endured extreme violence, losing nearly half his body weight due to starvation and abuse before his death. His case highlights the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding detainee treatment.
Collapse of Gaza’s Medical System
With over 50,000 Palestinians killed since Israel’s military campaign began—a response to Hamas’ October 7 attacks—Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of total collapse. Hospitals struggle to function without electricity, medical supplies, or staff. The UN stresses that protecting medical facilities is imperative under international law, yet repeated attacks persist.
Calls for Accountability
As testimonies of torture and abuse mount, human rights organizations are demanding independent investigations. The UN and advocacy groups like PHRI stress that without urgent action, the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system—and the atrocities committed against its workers—could set a dangerous precedent for future conflicts. For now, imprisoned doctors, grieving families, and overburdened hospitals continue to wait for justice and relief, while the world watches.