A report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) claims that at least 94 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have died in Israeli custody within 22 months. The report spans from October 7, 2023, following the onset of conflict initiated by Hamas, to August 31, 2025. It highlights that fewer than 30 Palestinian deaths occurred in Israeli custody during the preceding decade.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) maintains that it operates according to the law, adhering to established protocols under official oversight. The IPS contends that it cannot comment on figures or claims from external organizations and asserts that inmates’ rights, including access to medical care and proper living conditions, are upheld by trained personnel.
Since the outbreak of conflict, thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been detained, many without charge. PHRI alleges a systematic pattern of human rights violations against these individuals, suggesting that the Israeli authorities have implemented policies leading to these harmful conditions. Notably, it states that the accessibility of information about detainees to the Red Cross has been curtailed.
According to PHRI, a significant number of the fatalities, 52, occurred in military prisons, while 42 took place in civilian jails. The report attributes the deaths to physical violence or medical neglect. It particularly criticizes policies instituted under Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, suggesting these have contributed to conditions tantamount to torture within incarceration facilities.
In one incident, five Israeli reservist soldiers were charged with aggravated abuse after allegedly assaulting a Palestinian prisoner in July 2024, a case that has garnered public attention and controversy. PHRI claims that investigations into abuses and deaths in custody have been suppressed, with families often not informed of their relatives’ deaths and lacking access to autopsy information.
The IPS refutes the claims made by PHRI, stating that every death in custody is investigated according to legal standards. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledge awareness of some detainee deaths, attributing them to pre-existing health conditions but also confirm that these incidents are investigated by military police.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crreg2l7kezo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss