The United Nations has renewed its call for an independent investigation into the torture and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees held by Israeli forces, citing a growing number of credible testimonies from recently released prisoners, medical teams, and humanitarian organizations.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said it has received consistent reports describing severe physical abuse, prolonged shackling, beatings, humiliation, denial of medical care, and the use of stress positions during detention and interrogation.
Several detainees reported being kept blindfolded for long periods, deprived of sleep, and subjected to threats and degrading treatment.
UN officials stressed that these allegations “require urgent, impartial investigation,” noting that Israel is a signatory to the Convention Against Torture and is legally obligated to prevent, investigate, and prosecute acts of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Human rights groups have documented a sharp rise in abuses since the start of the current escalation, with thousands of Palestinians detained in mass arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Many detainees are held without charge under administrative detention orders, while others are classified as “unlawful combatants,” a designation that removes basic legal protections and access to due process.
Medical teams and humanitarian workers have also reported multiple deaths in custody, prompting the UN to call for full forensic investigations and unrestricted access to detention facilities.
The organization emphasized that detainees must be allowed to see lawyers, receive medical treatment, and communicate with their families.
The UN reiterated that the prohibition of torture is absolute, applies in all circumstances, and cannot be justified by security claims or emergency conditions. It warned that continued impunity risks entrenching a pattern of abuse against Palestinian detainees.
Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups welcomed the UN’s statement, saying it reflects the scale of violations reported by detainees and their families. They urged the international community to take concrete steps to ensure accountability.
