A damning new report from a prominent Israeli human rights group has exposed a brutal regime of “systematic killings and cover-ups” leading to the deaths of at least 98 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in less than two years, a staggering increase that points to an official state policy of abuse.

The report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), covering the period from the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, to August 31, 2025, reveals a catastrophic deterioration in the treatment of detainees. This figure dwarfs the fewer than 30 Palestinian deaths recorded in Israeli custody over the entire preceding decade, signaling a dramatic and deliberate escalation.

A Policy of Torture and Neglect

According to PHRI, these deaths are not isolated incidents but the direct result of a state-sanctioned system implemented since the war began. The report attributes the fatalities to a combination of daily physical violence and deliberate medical neglect, practices it alleges have been enabled and encouraged at the highest levels of government.

The group singles out the policies of Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, asserting that under his control, incarceration facilities have been “effectively been transformed into sites of torture and abuse.” The deprivation of fundamental human rights, the report states, has resulted in the deaths of dozens.

The Sde Teiman military prison, a facility near Gaza, has become a particular epicenter of this crisis, with 29 deaths occurring within its walls. The facility has previously been at the center of scandal, including a July 2024 incident where five Israeli reservists were charged with aggravated abuse for allegedly beating a detainee and stabbing him in the rectum with a sharp object. The case has sparked disturbing displays of public support for the accused, including so-called "right to rape" protests outside the jail.

A System of Secrecy and Impunity

Compounding the tragedy, PHRI accuses Israeli authorities of an orchestrated campaign to “cover up” these atrocities. The report details a policy of “forced disappearance,” where thousands of Palestinians have been detained without their families being notified of their whereabouts or even their deaths. By denying access to the International Committee of the Red Cross and blocking independent oversight, Israel has created a black site archipelago where abuse flourishes in the shadows.

In many cases, families were never notified their relative had died, and access to post-mortems was denied, preventing independent verification of the cause of death and ensuring almost total impunity for the perpetrators. The report notes a systemic failure to prosecute Israeli prison staff and soldiers, allowing the cycle of violence to continue unchecked.

Official Denials Amid Overwhelming Evidence

In response to the allegations, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) issued a blanket denial, stating the claims “do not reflect the conduct or procedures” of the service. The IPS refused to comment on the specific figures or allegations, citing "privacy, security, and legal limitations."

Similarly, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it operates in accordance with Israeli and international law, framing the mass detentions as necessary to remove individuals from fighting. However, these official statements stand in stark contrast to the extensive evidence compiled by PHRI, which is based on official records, cross-referenced data, forensic reports, and harrowing testimony from former detainees, their families, and lawyers.

With Israel continuing to block independent monitoring, PHRI warns that the true number of Palestinians killed in custody is likely even higher than the 94 already documented, leaving countless families in agonizing uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones. (ILKHA)