Palestinians describe torture and sexual violence in Israeli detention

Former Palestinian detainees have described torture, sexual violence and other abuse in Israeli prisons and detention centres, according to testimony gathered from survivors and rights groups.

The accounts include allegations of rape, beatings and degrading treatment while in custody.

One survivor, Mohammed al-Bakri, said he was arrested during Israeli military operations in Gaza in March 2024 and held for about 20 months.

He said he was moved between several detention centres before being taken to a prison in occupied East Jerusalem.

Al-Bakri said he was kept blindfolded and handcuffed for months and later sexually assaulted by soldiers.

He also said dogs were unleashed during the assault and that sexual objects were used.

The reporting says more than 9,600 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons last month, up from about 5,250 before the war.

Prisoners' advocacy groups say that included 350 children and about 3,530 administrative detainees held without charge.

The allegations are significant because they add to long-running concerns over the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention, while the number of people held has risen sharply since the war began.

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