RAMALLAH, March 31, 2025 (WAFA) – Ra'ed Abu al-Hummus, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission, has commended the British newspaper The Independent's recent report which detailed disturbing testimonies from Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons who were subjected to brutal interrogation methods, including beatings, electric shocks, sexual assault, stabbing, and other forms of torture.
Abu al-Hummus stated that the report underscores the savage and criminal behavior of Israeli authorities towards Palestinian detainees. He emphasized that the testimonies illustrate the grave risks faced by detainees, who often find themselves at the mercy of Israeli soldiers, prison guards, and security units. These detainees are subjected to severe abuse without any oversight, as the fate of each individual is left to the whims of their interrogators and guards.
He also stressed the international community’s failure to intervene effectively, allowing these violations to persist unchecked. Despite the reluctance of Israeli authorities to cooperate with international bodies, the failure to access detention facilities has exacerbated the situation, making it one of the darkest periods in the history of Palestinian prisoners.
Since October 7, 2023, when the ongoing Israeli genocide began, Abu al-Hummus noted that Israel’s prison system has become a site of unprecedented brutality, with systematic violations of international laws and conventions. He said the ongoing silence of the international community in the face of these crimes has only enabled their continuation.
Among the reported abuses are torture, sexual violence, electrocution, stabbings, humiliation, starvation, medical neglect, and extrajudicial killings, all of which are considered war crimes under international law. Abu al-Hummus called for accountability for Israeli leaders who are complicit in these crimes and warned against allowing further space for Israeli forces to continue their inhumane practices.
He also pointed to the numerous well-known and hidden detention facilities that have become virtual "living graves" for detainees, urging for urgent intervention to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression.
In addition to the widespread torture and mistreatment of prisoners, Israeli forces have carried out extensive raids, arresting thousands and engaging in violent acts against detainees’ families. These actions have included home demolitions, property seizures, and even using family members as human shields.
The current number of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons stands at over 9,500, including 3,405 administrative detainees, 350 children, and 26 women.
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