Palestinian Prisoners Report Being Shot While Kneeling in Israeli Jails

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are reportedly being subjected to shootings, sometimes at close range and even inside cells, according to testimonies documented by Physicians for Human Rights and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel. The director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights, director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights, stated that while shooting prisoners is not new, the practice has intensified and occurs under increasingly concerning circumstances, often without clear justification. The organizations have documented 22 testimonies of prisoners being shot, including one by a Jewish prisoner. Some accounts describe prisoners being forced to kneel before being shot from less than a meter away, potentially causing severe internal injuries and permanent damage.

One documented case involved a 45-year-old Palestinian prisoner who underwent surgery in June to remove his right testicle after it was described as "completely ruptured" due to being shot at close range. Abu the director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights noted that such injuries can lead to lasting health consequences. The crackdown within prisons reportedly extends beyond shootings, with testimonies indicating that sick prisoners seeking medical treatment, including those with serious or chronic illnesses, are also subjected to abuse, contributing to what is described as an unprecedented deterioration in the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.

Physicians for Human Rights and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel have questioned the Israeli Prison Service and the Attorney General regarding the rules of engagement for shooting prisoners, the types of projectiles used, and the circumstances under which they are employed. The Prison Service reportedly provided insufficient clarification, describing the means used as "less lethal" without offering specific details. Abu the director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights emphasized that the issue is not solely about the type of projectiles but also the conditions of their use, particularly when prisoners are confined in cells and unable to evade or protect themselves.

Testimonies are gathered primarily through lawyers' visits to prisoners, especially the sick, and accounts from released prisoners. Abu the director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights acknowledged that obtaining information is challenging due to restrictions on family and Red Cross visits, and some prisoners hesitate to testify for fear of further punishment or administrative detention. Lawyers' visits are not always private, with wardens potentially overhearing conversations, and some prisoners have faced repercussions after such visits, complicating documentation efforts.

Abu the director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights highlighted the difficulty in identifying individual guards responsible for shootings during raids, as prisoners often cannot see their assailants. He stressed that accountability should extend beyond the individual guards to those who issue orders and set policies that permit such practices, accusing the Israeli system of leniency towards violations against Palestinian prisoners. Human rights organizations can document and present information but lack enforcement power, prompting a call for international bodies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for violations.

Describing the current period as one of the most difficult for Palestinian prisoners, Abu the director of the prisoners' department at Physicians for Human Rights noted that repression affects all categories, including the sick. He stated that the documentation efforts, while not matching the scale of violations, aim to expose prison conditions and keep the issue on the international agenda. He concluded by emphasizing the need for international human rights organizations to act, asserting that documentation alone is insufficient without concrete steps for accountability and prevention.