Escalating Crisis: Report Reveals 94 Palestinian Deaths in Israeli Prisons

Wed Nov 19 2025 01:23:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel highlights the alarming death toll of Palestinians in Israeli custody, raising serious concerns about systemic abuse and lack of accountability.

In a recent report, the Israeli human rights group Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) disclosed that over 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody in just under two years. This alarming figure highlights accusations of systematic abuse and neglect within the prison system, particularly since the conflict intensified following Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. The report details multiple human rights violations and calls into question the actions of Israeli authorities in maintaining transparency and accountability regarding prisoner treatment.

At least 94 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have died in Israeli custody in less than two years, according to a report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI).

The report alleges a troubling practice of systematic killings and cover-ups and covers the timeframe from October 7, 2023 — when Hamas launched a significant attack on Israel — to August 31, 2025. During this period, the number of deaths starkly contrasts with the fewer than 30 Palestinians who died in Israeli custody over the previous decade.

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has responded to these claims by stating that they operate within the law and under proper oversight, rejecting any allegations from external entities. The IPS insists that all inmates' rights are upheld, including access to medical care and adequate living conditions.

Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, the report notes a significant increase in detentions, with many Palestinians taken without charge. PHRI argues that this period has seen a disturbing rise in human rights abuses against those categorized as security prisoners.\

The report indicates that 52 of the deceased were in military prisons, while 42 died in civilian facilities managed by the IPS. PHRI attributes these deaths to both physical violence and medical negligence, and they particularly highlight the impact of policies under Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister. They argue that these practices have turned prisons into environments of torture and abuse.

The report identifies Sde Teiman military prison as the site of the highest number of deaths, totaling 29. In July 2024, five Israeli reservist soldiers were charged with serious abuse related to a Palestinian detainee who suffered grave injuries in this facility. This incident led to widespread national debate over military investigations into such abuses.

PHRI claims that the Israeli government has actively attempted to suppress information about Palestinian deaths and prevent scrutiny of their detention practices. It emphasizes grave violations of international law and the challenges in verifying the extent of these abuses due to the opaque nature of Israeli detention policies. The report suggests that the actual death toll may be higher than documented.

The IPS maintains that deaths in their custody are addressed through established procedures, indicating that every incident is reviewed by proper authorities. They provide minimal comment on specific allegations, citing privacy and security concerns.

This situation reflects a broader narrative of instability and human rights concerns amidst ongoing conflict, raising urgent calls for accountability and reform in the treatment of Palestinian detainees within Israeli facilities.