Report Alleges Systematic Abuse of Palestinian Journalists in Israeli Prisons
A new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has made shocking allegations regarding the treatment of Palestinian journalists detained in Israeli prisons since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks. The research, based on in-depth interviews with 59 Palestinian journalists, claims that almost 60 of them have been subjected to severe abuses, including beatings, starvation, and sexual violence such as rape. The Israeli prison service and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have both strongly rejected these allegations, stating that any complaints are investigated through official channels.
Consistent Patterns of Torture and Neglect
The CPJ report details a disturbing consistency in the methods of abuse reported by the journalists. Of those interviewed, 58 described experiencing what they termed torture while in Israeli custody. The alleged abuses include:
- Physical assaults with batons and kicks
- Forced stress positions and sensory deprivation
- Sexual violence, including penetration with objects
- Medical neglect leading to untreated injuries
One journalist, Sami al-Sai, who worked for Al Jazeera Mubasher and Al-Fajer TV, recounted being taken to a cell in Megiddo prison where soldiers removed his clothing and penetrated him with batons. Similarly, Shadi Abu Sido, a reporter for Palestine Today, said he was beaten by soldiers while shackled and blindfolded at al-Shifa hospital, resulting in a broken rib. These accounts are supported by photographs and medical records reviewed by CPJ, showing visibly gaunt and injured individuals before and after detention.
Specific Incidents and Torture Methods
The report highlights several specific incidents that illustrate the severity of the alleged abuses. At Ofer prison, radio journalist Mohammad al-Atrash described a coordinated mass assault in November 2023, which detainees called a "Shin Bet party" or "Ben-Gvir party," referencing Israeli far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Al-Atrash stated that trained dogs were used to attack detainees, and metal instruments caused long-lasting bleeding and scars.
Additionally, 11 journalists cited the use of a torture method known as strappado, or "ghost hanging," where a person is suspended by their arms bound behind their back. Osama al-Sayed from Al-Aqsa TV reported intermittent use of electroshocking and pepper spray between beatings, occurring shortly after a visit by Ben-Gvir. These allegations are part of a broader pattern, with 55 of the 59 journalists reporting extreme hunger or malnutrition, leading to significant weight loss.
Weight Loss and Health Impacts
The CPJ calculated an average weight loss of 23.5 kilograms (52 pounds) among the group by comparing reported weights before and after detention. Individual cases are particularly stark:
- Journalist Mohammad Badr lost 40 kilograms over 10 months and was struck so hard his tongue was cut, impairing his speech and eating for two weeks.
- Ahmed Shaqoura, a reporter from Palestine Today TV, lost 54 kilograms during 14 months in custody at Ktzi’ot and Al-Jalama prisons.
- Rami Abu Zubaida reported losing 35 kilograms in a year of detention.
Photographs shared with the Guardian by CPJ show the journalists before and after their detention, depicting visibly emaciated and physically diminished men. Sara Qudah, CPJ regional director, emphasized that these are not isolated incidents but a recurring set of abuses directed at journalists because of their work.
Legal Context and Official Responses
Forty-eight of the journalists, a majority, were never charged with any crime and were held under Israel’s administrative detention system, which allows for indefinite detention without charge, typically renewable every six months. In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Israeli prison service stated they "categorically" reject the claims, noting that any concrete complaints are examined by competent authorities. The IDF also issued a statement completely rejecting allegations of systematic abuse, including sexual abuse, and mentioned that disciplinary measures or criminal investigations are taken when appropriate.
However, the report comes amid other concerning developments. In early 2025, leaked surveillance footage from Sde Teiman detention camp appeared to show soldiers sexually assaulting detainees, sparking a national scandal. Additionally, a report by Physicians for Human Rights – Israel documented 94 Palestinian deaths in Israeli custody since 7 October 2023. The CPJ notes that 252 journalists have been killed since the start of the Gaza war, underscoring the dangerous environment for media workers in the region.
The allegations in this report raise serious questions about human rights and press freedom in conflict zones, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives that highlight the ongoing tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
