In a new report on the situation in Gaza for May 2024, concerns were raised about the mistreatment of injured detainees who were held at a field hospital in shackles and blindfolded 24/7. The report cited testimonies from medics and whistleblowers, highlighting the grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and war crimes being committed. Additionally, more than 35 hostages captured during Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel on 7 October remained in Gaza, with reports of sexual abuse and dire conditions for those still alive.
The Global Protection Cluster, which includes UN agencies and other organizations, reported that Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody were being fed through a straw and had limbs amputated due to prolonged shackling. These concerns echoed previous reports of mistreatment from the UN human rights office and independent rights experts, although the Israeli army denied these claims. It is believed that at least 27 detainees from Gaza died while in custody at an Israeli military base, with others dying in Israel Prison Service facilities due to alleged beatings or lack of medical assistance.
Detainees in Israeli facilities faced harsh conditions including overcrowding, constant blindfolding and handcuffing, lack of access to basic necessities, exposure to the elements, and insufficient food and water. Women and children were among those held during mass detentions by the Israeli Defense Force, with families left without information about their loved ones. The Israeli government failed to provide information on the whereabouts or fate of many detainees, and boys as young as 14 were detained with adult men, while younger children were held with women and elderly family members for shorter periods.
The Israeli army claimed to have detained 2,300 Palestinians from Gaza during ground operations, although the actual number was likely higher. At the end of April, 865 detainees were held as “unlawful combatants”, a category not recognized under international law. Disturbing testimonies indicated that detainees were subjected to forced nudity, sexual harassment, threats of rape, and torture through severe methods. The report highlighted the lack of accountability and transparency in the Israeli detention system, with ongoing concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees.
Overall, the report painted a grim picture of the situation in Gaza, with allegations of serious human rights violations and war crimes being committed against Palestinian detainees. The lack of accountability and transparency in the Israeli detention system raised concerns about the treatment of detainees, including reports of torture, sexual abuse, and harsh conditions. The international community must address these issues and work towards ensuring the protection of human rights for all individuals in conflict zones like Gaza.
