Today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Palestinian territories expressed its grave concern regarding the significant increase in Israeli arrests of Palestinians and called for an investigation into allegations of torture during detention in Israel. A statement issued by the office noted that Israel had arrested more than 3,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the onset of the war on Gaza in early October. It added that a record number is being held without charge or trial.
The office pointed out that within two months, six Palestinians died in Israeli prisons, marking the highest number of deaths in such a short period in decades. Since Hamas's attack on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli bombardment on Gaza, Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons have reported a deterioration in conditions, including overcrowding and restrictions on access to food and water, as well as limited visitation from family or lawyers. Many reported being beaten and abused by guards, including threats of rape.
The office stated, "The massive rise in the number of detained and imprisoned Palestinians and the number of reports of mistreatment and humiliation suffered by detainees, alongside what has been reported regarding the failure to adhere to basic due process, raises serious questions about Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law and international law." It added, "All deaths in custody, as well as allegations of torture and other forms of mistreatment, must be investigated and accountability ensured."
The Israeli prison service stated that all its detainees are "held in accordance with the law" and that deaths of prisoners are under investigation. As part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel released 240 Palestinian women and children from its prisons, more than half of whom were held without charge, according to Israeli records. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club reported that during the week-long ceasefire, Israel arrested over 260 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
