Takeaways from AP’s report on a surge in Palestinian deaths in Israeli custody

Nearly 100 Palestinians Have Died in Israeli Custody Since Gaza War Began, Rights Group Reports

The number of Palestinians who have died while detained in Israeli prisons and detention centers has surged to nearly 100 since the outbreak of the Gaza war, according to a comprehensive report published Monday by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI).

The report details a pattern of systematic violence and medical neglect that has contributed to many of these deaths, findings that align with an independent investigation by The Associated Press. The AP’s investigation included interviews with former prison staff, medical professionals, former detainees, and legal representatives.

According to PHRI’s documentation, 98 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023, when Hamas’ attack triggered the ongoing conflict. The deaths were distributed across time with 27 occurring in 2023, 50 in 2024, and 21 so far this year, with the most recent death recorded on November 2.

This represents a dramatic increase from pre-war figures. In the decade before the conflict, fewer than 30 Palestinians died while in Israeli detention. Since the war began, Israel’s prison population has more than doubled to approximately 11,000, as authorities conducted mass arrests in Gaza and the West Bank.

A former guard at Sde Teiman military prison in southern Israel described disturbing conditions to the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The guard reported routine abuse of detainees, including shackling with chains and beatings with batons. The facility had earned the grim nickname “graveyard” due to the high number of prisoner deaths there. According to PHRI, 29 prisoners have died at Sde Teiman since the war began.

“It was sort of business as usual with the dead guy,” the guard said, describing an incident where staff showed little concern for a deceased prisoner lying in the yard.

A former nurse who worked at the same facility corroborated accounts of abuse, stating that chains used to restrain prisoners caused such severe wounds that some detainees required limb amputations. She left her position because she was troubled by the treatment of prisoners.

The Israel Prison Service stated that it operates in accordance with the law but declined to comment on the death count, redirecting inquiries to the military. The Israeli army acknowledged some detainee deaths but disputed the figures in the PHRI report without providing alternative numbers.

Army spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said some deaths involved detainees with preexisting medical conditions or combat-related injuries. He added that allegations of abuse are investigated and that violators face punishment, sometimes including criminal charges.

Earlier this year, an Israeli soldier was convicted of abusing Palestinians at Sde Teiman and sentenced to seven months in prison, which the army cited as evidence of accountability. However, lawyers representing prisoners argue that Israel rarely conducts thorough investigations into allegations of violence, perpetuating the problem.

The medical aspects of the crisis are equally troubling. Autopsy reports reviewed by the AP revealed a consistent pattern of physical abuse and medical neglect. One case involved 45-year-old Mohammad Husein Ali, who died at Kishon detention center. The autopsy report noted multiple signs of physical assault likely causing brain hemorrhage and possible use of excessive restraints. According to his family, he was healthy before detention and died within a week of imprisonment.

PHRI’s report suggests the actual death toll may be “significantly higher” than documented, noting that Israel has refused to provide information about hundreds of Palestinians detained during the war.

The army contends that prolonged handcuffing is implemented only in exceptional cases with “significant security considerations” and that detainees’ medical conditions are taken into account. They claim that only a few detainees from Gaza are currently being handled this way.

The surge in detainee deaths represents a growing humanitarian concern as the Gaza conflict approaches its 14-month mark, raising questions about detention conditions and Israel’s adherence to international standards for the treatment of prisoners.