Hamas accuses Israel of systematic killing of Palestinian detainees

The Palestinian faction Hamas issued a strong condemnation on Thursday against Israel, accusing it of engaging in the systematic killing and torture of Palestinian detainees in its prisons. The group called for immediate international action to halt these alleged abuses, which it asserts constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law.

Allegations of Systematic Abuse

In an official statement, Hamas cited human rights data indicating that 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. The group described Israeli prisons as "direct killing grounds" and detailed a pattern of alleged violations, including severe beatings, scalding with boiling water, dog attacks, and sexual assaults, which it claims are corroborated by firsthand testimonies and human rights documentation.

International Reports and Israeli Denial

These allegations find support in a report submitted by Israeli human rights organizations to the UN Committee Against Torture. The document outlines severe torture methods, such as physical assaults with batons, exposure to extreme cold, sleep and food deprivation, and denial of medical care. While Israel systematically denies the existence of such practices, human rights groups reject these denials and are urging for international intervention to stop what they term "systematic crimes."

The Scale of Detention and Broader Context

According to figures from Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights organizations, more than 10,000 Palestinians, including women and children, are currently held in Israeli prisons. This issue has escalated amidst the wider conflict, during which Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in nearly 70,000 fatalities and 171,000 injuries, leaving much of the territory in ruins.