At least 94 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have died in Israeli custody in less than two years, according to a new report from Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI). The report, which alleges a practice of systematic killings and cover-ups, covers the period from October 7, 2023, the date of Hamas's attack on Israel, until August 31, 2025.
The report notes that fewer than 30 Palestinians had died in Israeli custody over the prior decade. The Israel Prison Service (IPS) responded by asserting that it operates in accordance with the law and that allegations from outside bodies are not addressed.
Since the start of the conflict, thousands of Palestinians have been detained, many without charges, amidst claims of human rights violations by the Israeli authorities. PHRI's analysis includes testimonies from detainees and their families, alleging that deaths were caused by physical violence and medical neglect.
Of those reported dead, 52 were in military prisons and 42 in civilian jails, with the highest number of fatalities occurring at Sde Teiman military prison, where 29 deaths were documented. The report specifically criticizes the policies implemented by Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, accusing his administration of transforming incarceration facilities into sites of torture.
The report raises concerns over alleged cover-ups and failures in the legal processes concerning the deaths of detainees, claiming many families were not informed of their relatives' deaths nor given post-mortem access. Meanwhile, Israeli officials maintain that each case is thoroughly examined and investigated.
