Palestinians subjected to electric shocks, sexual violence in Israeli jails: UN

A new UN report says thousands of Palestinians are subject to ill-treatment including dire physical conditions, torture and sexual violence in Israeli detention centers.

The report released on Wednesday by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said routine beatings, prolonged sensory deprivation and dog attacks are among some of the torture techniques carried out by the Israeli military.

It also found prisoners “being forced to kneel on gravel, [given] electric shocks, being burnt with cigarettes, and given hallucinogenic pills” as well as waterboarding.

Men and women both suffered sexual violence including electrocution of the genitals, threats of mass rape and forced nudity, often photographed or filmed. 

A released prisoner described a guard putting a piece of a vegetable in his anus.

The report quotes far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir saying that in accordance with his instructions, he observed “eight handcuffed terrorists in a dark cell, iron beds, toilets in a hole in the floor”.

According to the report, detainees are denied basic necessities including food, water, space, warmth, and hygiene.

OHCHR also said that Palestinians in custody are denied products such as menstrual hygiene items.

 Prison cells are overcrowded, sometimes reaching four times their maximum capacity.

An autopsy revealed that a 21-year-old with Hirschsprung’s disease died from being denied the diet he required.

Detainees with medical conditions are particularly affected. 

Palestinians interviewed by OHCHR said denial of food led to malnutrition and loss of up to 55kg of body weight.

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails report surge in torture

Palestinians have called on Israel to promptly reveal undisclosed detention centers and give information on the identities of individuals captured from the Gaza Strip.

Another man reported being given pure alcohol when he asked for water to take his medicine.

Injured detainees are shackled, blindfolded and fed through a straw. Some underwent amputations due to harsh shackling.

Report reveals dozens have died in custody, with thousands subject to ‘cruel, inhumane and degrading’ treatment. 

In addition, Israel has also carried out “daily mass, apparently arbitrary, arrests” of Palestinians.

Many Israeli arrests are “apparent restrictions on Palestinians’ freedom of expression, opinion, association and assembly”, the report says. 

Since October, the Israeli parliament has increased the period allowed for administrative detention under the so-called Incarceration of Unlawful Combatants Law.

The Israeli military has taken into custody thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and over 10,000 Palestinians from across the occupied territories.

The UN office also calls on Israel to release all arbitrarily detained Palestinians and reform legislation to comply with international law.

Over the past few months, many videos have emerged of Israeli soldiers, torturing and abusing Palestinian detainees.

Activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been arrested for social media posts or while working.

On Wednesday, two journalists were killed in Gaza, adding to the death toll of at least 165 media workers.

Demonstrations and protests have also been “effectively banned” in 1948-occupied territories, with Israeli activists and protesters being arrested and held in prolonged detention.

Earlier this month, ultra-Orthodox Jews clashed with police in occupied al-Quds over a new bill overturning their exemption from conscription.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Israel's violation of prisoners' rights, saying they are in line with the regime’s genocidal policies, which are implemented with full support from the US.

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