Nearly 100 Palestinians Died In Israeli Prisons In Two Years, True Toll Likely Higher: Human Rights Group | World News

At least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since October 2023, and the real number is likely higher, CNN reported, citing a new report by Israel-based human rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI).

The group claimed that the death toll was almost certainly an undercount because the names of many people detained in Gaza were still unknown.

The report, prepared by Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHRI), is based on official Israeli records and data obtained through freedom of information requests; This report is cross-referenced with forensic reports, interviews with family members and lawyers, statements from detained Palestinians, information published by other human rights groups, and other individual investigations to locate specific detained persons.

According to the report, Palestinians have died in detention due to physical violence and medical negligence.
PHRI found that 46 Palestinians have died in Israeli Prison Service custody since the start of the war, and at least 52 Palestinians, all from Gaza, have died in Israeli military custody, according to CNN.

The report also stated that “the fate of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza detained by the Israeli army is unknown to this day, and the actual number of deaths is probably much higher than those documented here.”

In the early days of the war, Israeli authorities stopped providing information about detained Palestinians to the Red Cross and blocked access to detention centers.

The Israeli military’s last publicly available data on deaths in custody dates back to May 2024, while the Israel Prison Service (IPS) last published figures in September 2024. Since then, PHRI has documented additional deaths using firsthand testimonies and official responses to requests submitted by the Palestinian Authority, according to CNN.

When asked about the allegations in the report, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) said it “operates in accordance with the law” and that “all prisoners are held in accordance with legal procedures and their rights, including access to medical care, hygiene and adequate living conditions, are supported by professionally trained staff.” He added that he does not comment on figures or claims presented by outside organizations.

“The allegations disclosed do not reflect the conduct or procedures of the Israel Prison Service and we are not aware of the facts presented,” IPS said.