Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By George Swarei
The Embassy of the State of Palestine has strongly condemned what it describes as the systematic torture and martyring of at least 58 Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. According to the Embassy, hundreds more remain unaccounted for, with Israel refusing to disclose their whereabouts or condition.
Autopsies performed on the bodies of deceased detainees have reportedly revealed a grim reality: the majority of deaths resulted from severe torture, deliberate medical neglect, or a combination of both. These findings underscore growing concerns over the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Ambassador Tamer Almassri has described the current conditions for Palestinian detainees as the worst in history, with dozens reportedly dying under obscure circumstances involving severe torture and mistreatment. In addition to beatings and inhumane treatment, the Embassy alleges that Palestinian detainees are subjected to systematic manipulation, sexual violence, stripping, video recording, and other forms of humiliation.
The statement further condemns the Israeli government’s s response to emerging video evidence of these alleged abuses. According to the Embassy, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have openly defended such actions rather than taking steps to address them.
Additionally, many Palestinian prisoners who have been released under the ceasefire agreement are reported to be suffering from chronic illnesses and severe health conditions due to what the Embassy describes as systematic starvation, medical neglect, and prolonged mistreatment. Many have had to be hospitalized after release.
The Embassy also accuses Israeli authorities of targeting the families of Palestinian detainees. It alleges that these families face constant threats of arrest, violence, house raids, vandalism, and destruction of property, with Israeli forces deliberately seeking to manipulate their emotions and increase psychological pressure.
Currently, more than 10,400 Palestinian prisoners are believed to be held in Israeli jails. This number includes 87 women, at least 320 children, and 3,376 administrative detainees ”95 of whom are children and 22 women who are reportedly being detained without charge or trial. The Embassy notes that these figures remain incomplete due to Israel’s refusal to disclose information on detainees from Gaza.
The Palestinian government is now calling on the international community to take immediate action. It urges global institutions to demand an end to the alleged torture of Palestinian prisoners, hold Israel accountable for violations of international humanitarian law, and conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the reported deaths and widespread allegations of mistreatment.
The international community must act now to stop these egregious human rights abuses and ensure justice for Palestinian prisoners, the Embassy’s statement concludes.
