CITIZENS NEWS

Over 9,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli jails as rights groups decry “torture camp” conditions

By isabelle // 2025-10-15

• Thousands of Palestinians remain detained in Israeli prisons.
• Systemic abuse includes beatings, torture, and medical neglect.
• Many are held indefinitely without charge or trial.
• Dozens of detainees have died due to the harsh conditions.
• Israel blocks independent oversight of its prison facilities.

Despite a recent ceasefire and prisoner exchange that freed the last 20 living Israeli captives in Gaza, more than 9,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli detention. Human rights organizations are sounding the alarm, describing a system of imprisonment where beatings, starvation, and a lack of medical care are routine, leading to dozens of deaths behind bars. The scale of detention has surged dramatically since the war began in October 2023. Before the conflict, Israeli jails held approximately 5,000 Palestinians. That number more than doubled, reaching over 11,000 by October 2025. The latest exchange, which saw nearly 2,000 Palestinians released, has brought the current total down to around 9,100 individuals who remain in captivity. Among those still imprisoned, at least 3,544 are held under administrative detention. This controversial Israeli practice allows for indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial. Hundreds of others seized from Gaza are detained under the “Unlawful Combatant” law, also without charge. The detained population includes 52 women, about 400 minors, and dozens of medical workers and journalists.

A system of abuse

Rights groups and released detainees uniformly describe Israeli prisons as “torture camps.” They report that prisoners endure daily beatings, humiliation, and sexual abuse. Samir Zaqout, deputy director of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, stated that freed detainees are in dire condition and urgently need rehabilitation. “They are coming from one hell to another,” he said. Zaqout detailed the harsh conditions, noting that detainees are stripped, blindfolded, and beaten during arrest. “They give 12 people two or three blankets,” he said, describing the systematic deprivation of sleep, food, and basic hygiene. He confirmed that detainees were “subjected to physical and psychological torture all the time inside Israeli jails.” Conditions reportedly worsened after October 2023, when Israeli officials vowed to make prisons “a hell for Palestinians.” The consequences of this systemic abuse are fatal. Due to torture, malnutrition, and denial of medical care, at least 78 prisoners have died in Israeli custody over the past two years. The Palestinian Authority's Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said video footage of released prisoners highlights the “brutality and criminality” inflicted by Israeli authorities.

Israel denies access and independent oversight

Israel continues to block independent oversight of its prison system. Tala Nasser, a lawyer with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, confirmed that Israel prevents the International Committee of the Red Cross from visiting prisons and monitoring conditions. Family visits have also been denied. Nasser called for international action, stating, “The end of the war doesn’t mean the end of Israeli crimes.” She emphasized, “Those responsible must be held to account for the grave violations committed against Palestinian prisoners.” The recent prisoner release offered a glimpse into the human cost of this system. Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old released after more than 18 years in prison, described his experience as “an indescribable journey of suffering — hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses — more than anything you could imagine.” His face was gaunt, and he said he lost 139 pounds (59 kilograms) while imprisoned. His niece, Farah Abu Shanab, said, “We don’t recognize him. He’s not the person we knew.” Prisoner affairs activist Thamer Sabaaneh said Israel uses detainees for revenge. He expects prisoners to launch a movement to improve their conditions, noting that some had told Israeli officers “they would not stay silent if they weren’t released.” The ongoing detention of thousands without charge, under conditions condemned as abusive, presents a profound challenge to claims of democratic process and human rights. As the world focuses on ceasefire agreements, the plight of these 9,000 individuals remains a pressing and unresolved injustice. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co MiddleEastEye.net APNews.com MiddleEastEye.net

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