In brief
Two Palestinian men have shared their distressing experiences of severe beatings and sexual abuse while detained in Israeli prisons, highlighting reports of widespread torture and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees. This comes in the wake of a UN Committee's concerns over Israel's alleged practices amidst rising violence following the October 7 attacks.
This article contains descriptions of sexual abuse and violence which some readers may find distressing.
Two Palestinian men have told the BBC they personally experienced the kind of beatings and sexual abuse highlighted in recent reports into the treatment of prisoners in Israeli detention.
The United Nations Committee against Torture said last month that it was deeply concerned about reports indicating 'a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture and ill treatment' of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. It said the allegations had 'gravely intensified' after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Other reports by Israeli and Palestinian rights groups have detailed what they say is 'systematic' abuse.
Israel has denied all the allegations, but rights groups say the fury in the country over the 7 October attacks and the treatment of Israeli hostages in Gaza has created a culture of impunity within the prison services, especially towards detainees who have expressed support for Hamas and its attacks.
Last year, leaked CCTV footage from inside an Israeli military prison showed a Palestinian man from Gaza allegedly being sexually abused by prison guards. That led to a resignation and recriminations at the top of Israel's military and political establishment.
Sami al-Saei, 46, a former freelance journalist, recounted being subjected to horrific abuse during his 16-month administrative detention. He alleged that guards partially stripped him and raped him with a baton, stating the abuse lasted about 20 minutes during which he was severely beaten.
Another testimony came from Ahmed (a pseudonym), who described being subjected to degrading treatment, including sexual humiliation involving a dog while detained for inciting terrorism.
The Israeli Prison Service has rebuffed these allegations, stating they maintain the rights of all inmates, while the Un Committee's reports have prompted calls for investigations into systemic abuse across Israeli detainee facilities.
