98 Palestinians Died in Israeli Custody Rights Group Demands Probe

A troubling new report has intensified global concern over the treatment of Palestinians detained during the Gaza war, after a rights organisation revealed that at least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the conflict erupted in October 2023. The findings, released on Monday, allege widespread torture, harsh conditions, and severe medical neglect, prompting demands for an urgent international investigation.

The report, titled “Death Sentence for Palestinians in Custody,” details how 46 detainees died inside facilities run by the Israel Prison Service, while 52 others, all from Gaza, died while being held under military custody. According to the rights group, the numbers point to systemic failures and raise serious questions about detainee treatment during one of the most volatile periods in the region.

Researchers behind the report say they compiled testimonies from released detainees, medical professionals, and other sources to document what they describe as deliberate cruelty and inhumane conditions. They claim that many detainees suffered severe beatings, prolonged stress positions, lack of adequate food, and denial of life-saving medical care. In several cases, individuals who were reportedly healthy when arrested were said to have died shortly after entering detention.

The report alleges that what detainees experienced amounted to “state-sanctioned abuse,” including overcrowded holding areas, extreme temperatures, and deprivation of basic human needs. The group argues that such conditions violate international humanitarian law and should be subject to independent examination.

Calling the situation “deeply alarming,” the organisation urged global authorities, human rights bodies, and international legal institutions to carry out a transparent, independent investigation into the deaths. They stressed that without outside scrutiny, the true scale of mistreatment may never be fully understood.

The deaths come as the war in Gaza continues to fuel tensions across the region, with thousands detained in Israel amid intensified security operations. Families of detainees, advocacy groups, and several international observers have repeatedly raised concerns in recent months about conditions inside prisons and military detention sites.

Human rights experts warn that the growing number of deaths may further complicate diplomatic efforts in the region, adding to calls for accountability and stronger protections for detainees. As the conflict shows no sign of easing, the pressure on Israeli authorities to address the allegations and cooperate with external monitors is expected to increase.

For now, the report sheds light on a deeply troubling pattern—one that has placed the lives and rights of Palestinian detainees at the centre of a widening international debate.