Introduction: A portrait of captivity and brutality
When thousands of Palestinian detainees were released back to Gaza, their stories carried a weight that transcends the immediate relief of freedom. Among them was Naseem al-Radee, a 33-year-old Beit Lahiya government employee, who described a regime of abuse that stretched over more than 22 months in Israeli detention centers, including an underground cell for 100 days. His account, corroborated by other released prisoners and summarized by human rights organisations, offers a window into what many observers call a systemic pattern of mistreatment inside Israeli prisons.
Daily life behind bars: crowded cells, inadequate care, and relentless intimidation
Radee and others spoke of crowded conditions—14 inmates jammed into spaces designed for far fewer people—and unsanitary environments that produced fungal and skin diseases. They endured brutal intimidation, including teargas, rubber bullets, and a routine of verbal abuse. An electronic gate would open as soldiers entered, followed by dogs and orders to lie face down, often preceded by beatings that prisoners described as “scheduled” and merciless. The conditions extended beyond physical violence to basic human needs: irregular meals, limited medical care, and a general sense that detainees were disposable.
Health deterioration as a daily consequence
The toll was profound. Radee arrived in prison weighing 93 kilograms and left at about 60 kilograms. A 22-year-old student, Mohammed al-Asaliya, reported contracting scabies and fighting infections due to filthy mattresses and limited medical treatment. Medical officials in Gaza described detainees arriving in poor health, with visible injuries, bruises, and weight loss. The deterioration was not incidental; it appeared to be part of a broader pattern of neglect that prisoners themselves described as “unacceptable” and, in some cases, intentional.
Harsh methods, from the “disco” to the walls: torture described in detail
Among the most brutal episodes described by released detainees was a facility nicknamed “the disco,” where loud music played for two days straight as a form of sensory torment. Prisoners recalled being hung on walls, sprayed with cold air and water, and sometimes doused with chili powder. These experiences were part of a broader suite of coercive tactics, including beatings, restraints, and routine infringements on personal autonomy. Some detainees weighed far less upon release than at the start of their captivity, underscoring the severity of the conditions faced in detention.
Medical neglect amid food and hygiene deprivation
Beyond the immediate physical injuries, detainees faced long stretches without adequate nutrition or healthcare. In Gaza, hospital officials described returnees with bruises, fractures, and wounds that required emergency attention. The combination of physical harm and poor living conditions produced a cascade of health problems that lingered long after release, complicating the transition back to civilian life and to a city already overwhelmed by conflict.
The policy backdrop: law, orders, and the climate of detention
Public health and human rights groups point to a framework in which mass detention without charge has become a policy instrument. Changes to Israeli law after October 7 allowed for administrative detention with “reasonable grounds” to believe a person is an unlawful combatant, enabling detention that can be extended indefinitely. Analysts argue that this shift, supported by politicians such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, has lowered the threshold for holding Palestinians for longer periods without trial, contributing to a broader culture of abuse within detention facilities.
Voices from the ground: accountability, and the question of redress
Advocates from groups like B’Tselem and PCATI have documented a marked increase in reports of torture and inhumane treatment since October. They argue that the scale and severity of abuse reflect a deliberate policy orientation rather than isolated incidents. The Israeli prison service and defense establishments have historically defended their practices as lawful, but human rights experts contend that these explanations fail to justify the observed patterns of mistreatment and neglect.
Personal losses, shared trauma: the human cost of detention
For families awaiting news at the edges of conflict, the release of detainees is rarely a clean ending. Naseem al-Radee’s wife and children faced tragedy during his time in captivity; his daughter’s birthday poignantly highlighted the personal cost of separation. As Radee recounted, even small moments of joy—like the chance to celebrate a birthday on release day—were tempered by the larger frame of wartime devastation surrounding Gaza and the ongoing toll of the detentions.
Conclusion: an appeal for scrutiny and reform
The testimonies of freed Palestinians illuminate a troubling reality in Israeli detention facilities. While authorities may contest specific claims, the breadth of accounts from multiple detainees and medical professionals points to systemic issues that require independent, transparent investigation. The question remains whether international norms and domestic assurances can coexist with a detention regime that many describe as inhumane and disproportionate in its impact on civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
