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In response to mounting pressure from Israel’s Supreme Court regarding the treatment of Palestinians detained in Gaza, the military has relocated hundreds of detainees to newly established facilities. However, reports from Israeli human rights groups indicate that mistreatment persists in these new camps, prompting calls for a comprehensive solution from the court to address the ongoing issues.
Rights organizations that have spoken with numerous detainees reveal that rather than addressing the abuses previously reported, the military has merely shifted the location of these alleged violations. These serious complaints include physical abuse, excessive restraints, and inadequate healthcare and nutrition in the detention centers.
“What we’ve witnessed is a decline in even the most basic standards for humane detention,” remarked Jessica Montell, director of HaMoked, one of the organizations advocating for reform.
When approached for comment, the military asserted its adherence to international laws and refuted claims regarding any systematic abuse of detainees.
The Ofer and Anatot Camps, constructed in the West Bank, were intended to resolve documented issues from the Negev desert’s Sde Teiman facility, which became infamous for its harsh treatment of individuals detained during the conflict stemming from Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023. Initially meant as a temporary holding site, Sde Teiman turned into a long-term detention center criticized for its treatment of Palestinians detained without formal charges.
Accounts gathered by HaMoked and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) indicate that the conditions at Ofer and Anatot are not significantly better. Over 30 detainees who were previously held at Sde Teiman, and subsequently transferred to the new camps, shared their experiences during interviews.
One of the detainees, Khaled Al Serr, a 32-year-old surgeon from Gaza, described the punitive atmosphere at the Ofer Camp. He recounted his ordeal of being arrested and abused during a military raid and held for six months without formal charges. Al Serr detailed extreme mistreatment, saying, “You’d be punished for making eye contact, for asking for medicine, for looking up towards the sky.”
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Al Serr recounted how he was interrogated, beaten, and ultimately released abruptly without any charges. His experiences reflect the grim reality faced by those caught in the military’s detention policies.
While each detainee’s account could not be independently verified, many remain anonymous due to fears of retribution, yet their stories were strikingly uniform.
The Israeli Supreme Court has set a deadline for the military to address these allegations by the end of March.
Departing Sde Teiman
Since the conflict escalated, Israel has detained thousands of individuals from Gaza suspected of connections to Hamas, although many have also been released after extended periods. A ceasefire earlier this year led to the release of hundreds, but recent military operations have resumed arrests, with the military declining to specify the number of current detainees.
In accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive to reform conditions at Sde Teiman, a significant transfer of detainees was undertaken, with 500 individuals moved to Ofer in June.
Ofer Camp, located adjacent to a civilian prison bearing the same name, is characterized by walled compounds and mobile homes serving as makeshift cells. The Anatot Camp, situated on a military base within a Jewish settlement, features accommodation for about 100 detainees.
Israeli wartime law permits the military to detain Palestinians from Gaza for 45 days without outside communication, though in practice, many remain in custody much longer.
When detainees met with legal representatives from HaMoked, reports indicated they were often subjected to harsh treatment, such as being “violently dragged” into cells, blindfolded and shackled throughout these meetings.
Recently freed hostages from Gaza have also come forward to share their experiences of harsh conditions, drawing parallels between their treatment and that of Palestinian detainees.
Allegations of Routine Beatings
Al Serr described his experience in Ofer, where he was kept with multiple others in cramped conditions with little access to proper hygiene or medical care. He reported rampant issues with scabies and lice, along with limited outdoor time.
Other detainees backed Al Serr’s claims of abuse, saying that beatings were commonplace in both Ofer and Anatot. Some reported being restrained for extended periods, including during meals and sleep, with shackles removed only for infrequent showers.
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The military has dismissed claims of systematic abuses, asserting that they provide detainees with regular access to showers and outdoor time, but admitted that overcrowding can lead to substandard sleeping arrangements.
After attempting to address some allegations, the military closed Anatot in early February but has kept Sde Teiman operational.
Nutrition and Health Care Concerns
Detainees like Al Serr reported inadequate medical care, highlighting instances where basic needs went unaddressed. He was denied necessary medication for a chronic condition, an experience that culminated in him being mistreated during a hospital visit.
The military contends that all detainees receive necessary medical attention but admits that restraints may be used in certain cases depending on the individual’s condition.
Numerous detainees have voiced concerns over insufficient nourishment, reporting meager meal portions that fail to meet basic calorie requirements. Despite recent improvements in meal variety, nutritionists have described the diets provided as inhumane.
The military maintains that meal plans are designed with oversight from nutrition experts and guarantees availability of water.
Punishments for Legal Counsel
Two months following his detention, Al Serr was permitted a brief video hearing that resulted in him being denied release. Later, when allowed to consult with legal counsel, he faced punitive measures beforehand, such as being forced to kneel in the sun for extended periods.
Another detainee shared troubling details about the treatment he endured while seeking legal help, revealing ongoing threats against his mental well-being.
Following his release, Al Serr has returned to his medical work in Gaza, but the traumatic memories linger. Yet, he expressed hope in reconnecting with his purpose: “I’m starting to forget … to feel myself again as a human being.”
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