Reports Reveal Severe Abuse of Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails Amid Gaza Conflict

TEL AVIV / RAMALLAH : Newly released domestic reports indicate that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have faced prolonged deprivation of water, inadequate food, and routine violence, shedding light on harsh detention conditions amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The reports, compiled by representatives of Israel’s public defender’s office after three visits to Ketziot Prison in the Negev desert in 2024, document testimonies from Palestinian detainees describing systematic mistreatment. Prisoners reported being denied drinking water for hours, which officials said was part of “collective punishment,” with some accounts noting the practice occurred for roughly half the day.

Severe hunger among detainees was also highlighted, with reports noting drastic weight loss, extreme weakness, and incidents of fainting. Additionally, 90 percent of security prisoners reportedly had less than 3 square meters of living space, and thousands lacked proper beds.

The reports further cited “routine” violence by prison guards and the denial of both medical attention and access to courts, exacerbating the dire conditions.

Thousands of Palestinians have been detained since October 7, 2023, following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza after a major operation by Hamas. Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented abuse in Israeli prisons, including beatings, sexual violence, starvation, solitary confinement, and unsanitary conditions.

By the end of 2025, over 9,300 Palestinians remained in Israeli detention, including 3,350 held under administrative detention without charge. Palestinian authorities report at least 86 deaths in custody since the Gaza conflict escalated.

In September 2025, Israel’s High Court ruled that the government had failed to provide detainees with adequate food, ordering authorities to supply three meals a day to ensure a “basic level of existence.” The ruling followed petitions by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and Gisha, which documented malnutrition and starvation resulting from tightened restrictions after the Gaza military campaign.

Rights groups warn that the reported conditions constitute serious human rights violations and underscore the urgent need for international attention and oversight.