Abuse and torture?
Israel’s Supreme Court demands clarification on prison camps
23.06.2024, 21:32
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After the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, the Sde Teiman prison camp is set up. Thousands of Palestinians are said to have been imprisoned there and, in some cases, treated horribly. Israel’s Supreme Court is now intervening and demanding a report on the conditions.
The Supreme Court in Israel has requested a report from the state authorities on the conditions in the Sde Teiman prison camp, which was set up for militant Palestinians. The Supreme Court is demanding clarification in particular on the food provided to the prisoners as well as on their medical care and personal hygiene options, Israeli media reported.
The military set up the Sde Teiman camp near the southern Israeli city of Beersheba after the terror attack by the Islamist Hamas and other groups on October 7 last year. The army detains terror suspects and militants it arrested during the Gaza war there. They are interrogated there and held pending a later trial.
No rights for “illegal combatants”?
According to the Israeli interpretation, they are “illegal combatants”. This means that as members of a terrorist organization, they do not receive the protection of a prisoner of war and the Third Geneva Convention, which contains detailed rules on the treatment of prisoners of war, does not apply to them. This practice is controversial internationally.
Among the prisoners are said to be numerous Palestinians who were captured by mistake or based on false information and assessments.
Former inmates, human rights groups and Israeli whistleblowers, including former doctors, have repeatedly reported torture and violence against prisoners. Among other things, prisoners are said to have been beaten, sexually abused and injured. They were often forced to endure painful positions. Many of them had their hands tied together in cable ties for long periods of time. The wounds caused by this were not treated. This is even said to have led to amputations. The Israeli military denies the allegations. According to its statement, no illegal practices are known.
A total of 4,000 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are said to have been held in Sde Teiman for shorter or longer periods. In recent weeks, the military has moved the prisoners to other detention facilities. The Supreme Court has now decided to demand clarification. Several Israeli human rights organizations had previously submitted a petition.