The United Nations special rapporteur on torture has accused Israel of showing a “gross disregard” for the humane treatment of Palestinian detainees, warning that emergency measures introduced after the October 7, 2023, had exposed prisoners to torture, sexual violence and potentially unlawful deaths.
In a statement on Tuesday, the rapporteur, Alice Jill Edwards, detailed allegations of severe beatings, electrocution, stress positions, sleep deprivation, starvation and prolonged incommunicado detention in Israeli facilities.
She said conditions were marked by overcrowding, disease, denial of medical care, and lack of ventilation and sunlight.
“Emergency measures introduced after October 7, 2023, exposed Palestinian detainees to torture, potentially unlawful deaths, incommunicado detention, and degrading conditions,” Edwards said.
Her investigation recorded 52 incidents of torture or ill-treatment and 33 incidents of sexual torture or sexualised abuse.
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