Leaked video shows brutal conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails

GAZA STRIP: A recent leaked video showed a harrowing scene as Israeli prisoners sexually assaulted a Palestinian prisoner at the notorious Sde Teiman jail.

Reports of abuse and torture on Palestinian detainees at the hands of their Israeli guards has been circulating for months following Israel siege of Gaza in October last year.

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A recent report by B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organisation, shed light on the mistreatment and harsh conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities.

The report is based on testimonies from 55 Palestinians. It revealed a disturbing pattern of systemic abuse that encompasses physical violence, sexual assault, humiliation, starvation, unsanitary conditions, sleep deprivation, restrictions on religious practices, confiscation of personal and communal belongings, and inadequate medical care.

According to the report, the abuse and torture wee not isolated incidents but reflected an institutional policy aimed at oppressing and torturing the Palestinians. The testimonies revealed repeated and severe acts of senseless violence inflicted on detained Palestinians.

The report detailed that severe beatings, sexual assault, and degradation occurred routinely in Israeli prisons. Palestinian prisoners face deliberate starvation, with reports of inadequate and unsanitary food provisions, and forced living conditions.

Sleep deprivation was another documented issue, with prisoners often subjected to irregular or insufficient rest periods. The report also revealed the prohibition on religious practices, where prisoners were  either denied the opportunity to worship or face punitive measures for engaging in religious activities.

All personal and communal belongings were confiscated, along with a denial of necessary medical treatment.

The report noted that as of July 2024, there were 9,623 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons and detention facilities. Of these, 4,781 were held under “administrative detention,” a practice that allows for detention without trial or formal charges.

Administrative detention has been criticised for its lack of due process and transparency, as detainees are not presented with specific allegations or given a fair opportunity to defend themselves.

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The report mentioned an increase in the arrest of Israel citizens of Palestinian for minor acts of solidarity or criticism, though this aspect was not the primary focus of the report.

The report detailed that Palestinians were detained not just from Gaza but the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.