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Based on data from Israel, at least 98 Palestinians have died during detention beginning in October 2023. An advocacy organization located in Israel has stated that the true figure is almost certainly significantly higher, because of hundreds of unaccounted for individuals originating in Gaza.

Study Results

A recent report documented deaths resulting from physical violence, medical neglect, and starvation. Investigators used official data requests, medical examiner documents, and discussions with legal representatives, advocates, next of kin, and observers.

Official sources provided comprehensive data only for the first eight months of the war. Over this period, official figures show an historically high fatality rate among Palestinian prisoners, averaging a single fatality every four days.

Latest Data

The military last updated records on deaths in detention for May 2024, and detention administration by September 2024. Researchers identified another 35 casualties in detention after these periods and validated them with government bodies.

Even with the total number of casualties documented being substantially larger than earlier projections, it almost certainly omits the complete extent of losses among Palestinians, as stated by the head of the detainee affairs unit.

“Even though we are presenting proof for a larger total of casualties than previously reported, this is an incomplete account,” he explained. “We are confident that there are even now individuals who died in custody that we don’t know about.”

Civilian Deaths

Classified Israeli data indicates that the majority of Palestinian prisoners from Gaza who died in detention were civilians, based on a parallel inquiry.

During May of the current year, a defense forces registry monitoring all fighters in Gaza, a registry of in excess of 47,000 identified persons, recorded just 21 deaths in detention. By that point, 65 Palestinians from Gaza had died in prison.

Detention Conditions

Brutality, abuse, and further cruelty of detainees from Palestine has become routine across Israel’s detention facilities over the duration of war. Top government figures have openly admitted starvation rations and an underground jail holding Palestinians who are kept in darkness.

Existing and previous prisoners and whistleblowers from the armed services have all alleged systemic violations of global standards.

Institutionalized Cruelty

The systematic abuse came with a disturbing rise in fatalities registered across at least 12 civilian and military facilities in Israel. Over ten years before the hostilities, there were on average two or three fatalities a year.

“This isn’t just an individual case here and there. It is widespread and it is likely to persist,” a spokesperson said, partially due to the fact there is a climate of virtual exemption from consequences for harming and abusing Palestinian individuals.

Just one case of assaulting inmates has come to trial, with the military personnel handed a punishment to half a year. An attempt to charge others over a brutal attack involving assault resulted in right-wing protests and the arrest of Israel’s chief legal officer, with the alleged perpetrators now requesting that indictments against them be withdrawn.

Lack of Accountability

“Despite this large quantity of deaths, during 24 months no one has been arrested,” the official said. “There exist no indictments over any death.

“As long as these practices remain in effect, every Palestinian in custody is in danger, even the physically well individuals, also the youth who have no underlying conditions.”

High-Profile Cases

Some deaths in confinement have been widely reported, for instance a 50-year-old hospital director who lost his life in confinement after four months in custody.

A detainee held with the deceased stated that he was led to the exercise area by guards shortly before his demise, obviously hurt and naked from the lower body. His remains has not been returned to Gaza.

Further inmates who died in detention in Israel remain anonymous. The prison service and armed services provided analysts with the total of fatalities in confinement, and limited further data for example the facility where they lost their lives, but without the detainees’ identities.

Identification Challenges

Regarding 21 occurrences, primarily detainees from Gaza, investigators were not able to connect the minimal data provided by authorities to a death documented by human rights groups, by means of testimony from former inmates or accounts in the press.

The inmates’ next of kin may not know about their loved ones’ deaths as well, as Israel has created obstacles to track Palestinians it is detaining. During 210 days at the beginning of the conflict, the armed services would not provide to supply essential data about the whereabouts of many of individuals confined in Gaza, effectively enacting a practice of involuntary missing persons, as stated by the advocacy organization.

Limited Transparency

From May 2024, government bodies have established an electronic contact for requests about Palestinians from Gaza, but this has provided only a modest and inadequate improvement. Investigators noted|observed|commented on