The United Nations human rights office has reported concerning allegations of torture against Palestinians detained by Israel in the wake of the Gaza conflict. Testimonies collected from detainees, including men, women, and children, reveal severe mistreatment, with many reporting being held in inhumane conditions, stripped naked, and confined to cage-like facilities.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted that the evidence suggests Israeli authorities may have engaged in “appalling acts” against detainees, including waterboarding and the use of aggressive dogs. The report highlights that numerous individuals have been held without charge, denied access to legal representation, and subjected to deplorable conditions.
Additionally, the report sheds light on the experiences of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, detailing their deprivation of food and water and occurrences of physical abuse during captivity. Israeli forces have detained thousands of Palestinians since the conflict escalated, primarily from Gaza but also from the occupied West Bank and Israel.
Human rights advocates have expressed alarm over the conditions in detention facilities, where allegations of widespread mistreatment are coming to light from both Israeli whistleblowers and released detainees. The International Committee of the Red Cross has faced restrictions in accessing these facilities.
In July, Israeli authorities announced an investigation into abuse claims within detention centers but have not provided substantial details. Despite previous denials of mistreatment, the recent UN report presents detailed accounts from former detainees and their families regarding alleged abuses.
The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2022, following a Hamas attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages, has led to a sustained military response from Israel, reportedly claiming over 39,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health sources. The detention of Palestinians, including medical staff and minors, has raised international concern, with at least 53 reported deaths in custody.
Testimonies from those released underline severe violations, including deprivation of food, sleep, and water, as well as electric shocks and burns. Multiple accounts detail incidents of sexual and gender-based violence against detainees.
Mr. Türk characterized these findings as a “flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” emphasizing the seriousness of indefinite detention and lack of access to legal aid. The UN stipulates that such practices could be seen as enforced disappearance under international law.
This report is likely to provoke a strong reaction from the Israeli government, which maintains that its military actions comply with international law and has long accused the UN of bias against Israel. The UN has called for an immediate cessation of arbitrary detentions, torture, and other forms of violence, urging accountability for serious human rights abuses committed during the conflict.
