Palestinian detainees allege systematic torture in Israeli prisons

Former Palestinian prisoners testified at an Istanbul media briefing organized by the İçeri Bak Initiative, describing systematic rights violations in Israeli detention facilities. They reported restricted access to water and food, denial of medical care, and exposure to physical and psychological abuse, asserting that these conditions are part of a broader pattern rather than isolated incidents.

Their lawyer, Gülden Sönmez, said the accusations are being pursued through national courts and international mechanisms, including applications to the UN Human Rights Council. The allegations have drawn attention from various human‑rights bodies.

In a separate development, Israeli Environment Minister Idit Silman signed a decree allowing state agencies, including the Prison Service, to keep Nile crocodiles on their premises. The change follows a proposal by National Security Minister Ben Gvir to surround prisons holding Palestinian detainees with crocodile‑filled moats, though the plan’s implementation remains unclear.