At least 94 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have died in Israeli custody in less than two years, a well-regarded Israeli human rights group, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), states in a new report. It alleges a troubling pattern of 'systematic killings and cover-ups.'
The report covers a period from 7 October 2023, during which a significant conflict erupted following Hamas's attack on Israel, to 31 August 2025, revealing that fewer than 30 Palestinians had died in Israeli custody over the preceding decade.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) responded to these claims, affirming that they operate according to legal standards and under official oversight, and refused to comment on allegations from external entities. They asserted that rights to medical care, hygiene, and adequate living conditions are upheld.
Notably, thousands of Palestinians have been detained under various circumstances, often without charge, since the onset of the conflict. The PHRI emphasized a pattern of human rights abuses targeting these detainees, branded as 'security prisoners' by Israeli authorities, particularly under the policies of Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The report highlighted that 52 of the reported deaths occurred in military prisons, while 42 were in civilian jails, attributing these fatalities to both physical violence and medical neglect. PHRI has alleged that the Israeli facilities holding Palestinians have effectively become sites of torture and abuse, with frequent reports of violence and rights violations leading to deaths.
Details shared in the report included a notable case at Sde Teiman military prison where the most deaths (29) occurred. Additionally, five Israeli reservist soldiers are facing charges relating to the alleged assault of a Palestinian detainee, stirring national debate over military oversight and protocols.
PHRI accuses Israeli authorities of attempting to suppress investigations into abuses and deaths in custody, indicating a failure to inform families about the status of their detained relatives and limiting access to post-mortems.
The report claims these clandestine practices and the policy of 'forced disappearance' further complicate understanding the full scope of Israel's treatment of Palestinian detainees, with the actual death toll likely exceeding reported figures.
The IPS asserts that every death in custody is examined as per established procedures, yet denies any wrongdoing suggested by the PHRI. The ongoing situation continues to escalate concerns over human rights within the context of military conflict in the region.
