Rights Group Reports Sharp Rise in Palestinian Deaths in Israeli Detention

Rights Group Reports Sharp Rise in Palestinian Deaths in Israeli Detention
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At least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since October 2023, according to new data compiled by Physicians for Human Rights–Israel (PHRI),The Guardian reported. The group said the true toll is likely higher, as hundreds of Gaza detainees remain unaccounted for. Using official documents, forensic records and interviews, PHRI found that deaths were linked to physical abuse, medical neglect and severe deprivation.

Israeli authorities released full data only for the first eight months of the war, during which detainee deaths averaged one every four days. PHRI identified 35 additional deaths after official reporting stopped and confirmed them with Israeli institutions. Classified Israeli data reviewed by media partners indicated that most Gaza detainees who died were civilians.

Rights groups and former detainees have long accused Israeli prisons of systemic mistreatment, a charge reinforced by reports of starvation rations, prolonged abuse and lack of medical care. Deaths have been recorded across at least a dozen military and civilian facilities, compared with only a few annually before the war. PHRI said accountability remains rare, with only one assault case going to trial.

The group warned that Israel’s limited disclosure practices make it difficult for families to confirm the fate of detained relatives. Some families learned of deaths only after court intervention. Israel denies wrongdoing, saying it follows domestic and international law and investigates each death. The prison service said reported abuses do not reflect its procedures. Despite recent prisoner releases under a ceasefire agreement, PHRI estimates more than 1,000 Palestinians continue to be held without charge or trial.