Palestinians Describe Abuse in Israeli Prisons, Citing Physical and Sexual Assault

Former Detainees Describe Alleged Abuse in Israeli Prisons

A group of former Palestinian detainees have shared their testimonies with Al Jazeera, detailing allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Israeli soldiers. The accounts, which form the basis of an upcoming documentary, describe instances where prisoners were chained, stripped, and subjected to invasive searches.

According to one detainee, Mohammed Zaki al-Bakri, he was held for 20 months and moved through five Israeli prisons. He alleges that he was stripped, restrained, and left powerless while soldiers laughed and filmed him. Al-Bakri also claims to have been raped by a large dog, an incident repeated by another detainee.

Other former detainees, including Job from Gaza and Kifaya Khraim from the Ramallah-based Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC), describe similar experiences with dogs being used as instruments of fear and humiliation. One family, the Ajlounis, reported being forced to undress in front of female soldiers while Israeli forces threatened large dogs.

The testimonies paint a picture of a system that prioritizes control over human dignity. Palestinian detainees have been held for extended periods, often without charge or trial, and subjected to invasive searches and physical abuse. The use of dogs as a tool of intimidation is also widespread.

According to official estimates, more than 750,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel since 1967. A United Nations-cited figure puts the number at over 800,000 between 1967 and 2006. In April 2026, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association reported 9,600 Palestinian political prisoners were in Israeli custody.

The documentary, Bodies of Evidence: Israel’s Darkest Weapon, aims to shed light on this issue and provide a platform for the voices of those who have been silenced.

Source: Al Jazeera