PHRI Report: Systematic Torture of Palestinians in Israeli Prisons

International Desk, PNN

A recent report by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) reveals widespread torture, neglect, and human rights violations against Palestinians in Israeli prisons, describing it not merely as isolated incidents but as an organized policy.

According to the report, at least 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in custody, though the actual number may be higher. Causes of death include torture, assault, medical neglect, and malnutrition.

The report details several extreme cases:

• Abdul-Rahman Mari, 33, returned to his family from Megiddo prison with extensive injuries and marks before dying.

• 17-year-old Walid Khaled Abdullah Ahmad, formerly an athlete, had almost no muscle or fat left, with long-term malnutrition cited as the cause of death.

• 25-year-old Arafat Hamdan was held only two days; despite having Type 1 diabetes and requiring regular insulin, he was severely tortured and denied medicine.

PHRI researcher Oneg Ben Dror stated, “This is not a policy of a single person or group. It is a broad policy applied to Palestinians in all types of detention facilities, including military and civilian prisons.”

The Palestinian human rights group Addameer reports that prisoners’ food rations have been reduced to minimal levels. International monitoring agencies such as the ICRC are often denied access to these prisons.

Analysts warn that, despite all evidence, Israel’s restrictions on international human rights organizations risk further abuse and deaths. Meanwhile, the Israeli government and frequently ruling political leaders deny these allegations, claiming the prison conditions meet international standards.