Sixty Palestinian detainees released to Gaza report abuse in Israeli custody

A group of former detainees, several of whom were released in wheelchairs, recounted severe mistreatment they endured while held in Israeli prisons, according to statements released to local media on Tuesday. The men, identified as Palestinian residents of the West Bank, said they were subjected to prolonged beatings, sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme temperatures, with some reporting the use of electric shocks and forced stress positions. Medical examinations conducted after their release confirmed multiple injuries, including broken ribs, bruised organs and chronic pain that left a number of the men reliant on wheelchairs.

Human rights organizations have previously documented allegations of abuse in Israeli detention facilities, and the latest testimonies have prompted renewed calls for independent investigations. Israeli authorities have not yet responded to the specific accusations, but officials reiterated that the military justice system operates under strict regulations. The released detainees’ accounts add to a growing body of evidence that international monitors say warrants further scrutiny to ensure compliance with humanitarian law and to address the health needs of those affected.