Israeli Prisons Operate as Torture Camps Amid Public Indifference, Report Claims
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
An Israeli newspaper investigation claims prisons operate as torture camps, with widespread indifference from the public and judiciary. Since October 7, 2023, Palestinian prisoners have allegedly faced starvation, beatings, and severe neglect, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir implicated. Despite court orders for better conditions and Red Cross visits, the situation reportedly remains dire, with thousands of prisoners held without conviction.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli prisons are operating as torture camps, according to a Haaretz investigation.
- Palestinian prisoners allegedly face starvation, beatings, and neglect since October 7, 2023.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is accused of ordering harsh policies.
- The Israeli public and Supreme Court judges are criticized for indifference to prisoner conditions.
- Thousands of prisoners are held without conviction, challenging claims of their dangerousness.
A new investigation published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reveals a disturbing lack of concern regarding the torture of Palestinian prisoners within Israeli jails, particularly since October 7, 2023, allegedly under direct orders from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. This indifference extends beyond the Israeli public to include judges on Israel's Supreme Court. The newspaper asserts that Israeli security prisons have functioned as torture camps for the past three years, a claim previously supported by human rights organizations. Daily life for thousands of prisoners reportedly includes starvation, severe violence, widespread scabies, and harsh conditions, presented not in secret but as an openly declared policy central to Ben-Gvir's electoral platform.
Despite revelations from major global media, human rights reports, and petitions to the Supreme Court, the Israeli public remains largely unconcerned, and even Supreme Court judges have normalized the situation. Following numerous delays, the court issued only two rulings against the policy: in September 2025, ordering adequate nutrition, and in June 2026, directing the Prison Service to resume Red Cross visits. However, these rulings appear to have had minimal impact, with deliberate starvation policies continuing and Red Cross representatives still denied access. Other petitions, including one concerning treatment for scabies, were rejected.
The investigation highlights that as of September, there were approximately 9,350 security prisoners, with only 16% convicted. The remainder were detainees (34%), under administrative detention (34%), or classified as "unlawful combatants," a designation allowing detention without POW or criminal rights. Furthermore, Prison Service data from last year indicates hundreds of prisoners were released monthly since October 7, unrelated to hostage deals. In 2024 alone, about 5,000 prisoners were released without any exchange agreements, often because their detention periods ended without charges or convictions, challenging claims of their dangerousness.
Testimonies from five released prisoners describe significant weight loss (15-50%), bone-breaking beatings, and the severe impact of scabies, alongside collective punishment, daily humiliation, and terror. Conditions for detainees from Gaza are reportedly far worse. The investigation aims to bring attention to these realities and confront the escalating brutality within Israel's leadership and society.
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