Press Releases
31 December 2024
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Gaza, 31 December 2024 — In a span of just 24 hours, four Palestinian detainees were confirmed dead while in Israeli custody. This follows the announcement of another detainee's death just one day prior. Since the beginning of the Israeli genocide in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza under inhuman conditions. Many detainees have shared harrowing testimonies of the extremely harsh conditions they endure, which have led to the deaths of dozens.
During regular visits conducted by Al Mezan's lawyer to Gaza detainees held in Israeli prisons, it was reported that Mohammed Rashid Saeed Al-Okka, a 44-year-old resident of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza, lost consciousness on 29 December 2024 at Al-Naqab Prison. He was transported to the medical clinic, where he was later pronounced dead.
Al-Okka was arrested on 16 November 2023, from Gaza. During a visit by Al Mezan's lawyer on 6 November 2024, it was reported that he was suffering from skin diseases, lacked proper winter clothing, received inadequate food, endured severe physical assault, and had lost more than 30 kg in weight.
On 30 December 2024, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported the deaths of three more detainees: Samir Mahmoud Al-Kahlout, 52; Zuhair Omar Al-Sharif, 58; and Mohammed Anwar Lubbad, 57, in Israeli prisons. This came just one day after the death of detainee Ashraf Mohammed Abu Warda, 51, was confirmed. According to the Commission, this brings the total number of Palestinian detainees who have died in Israeli prisons, whose identities have been known, to 54 since October 2023.
Palestinian detainees face systematic abuse and severe human rights violations throughout every stage of their detention. This begins with violent arrests, including physical assault, forced stripping, and exposure to harsh conditions. Once detained, they are subjected to brutal interrogation tactics, including physical torture, stress positions, beatings, sexual violence, and various forms of psychological torture.
The already harsh detention conditions are further exacerbated by sleep deprivation, inadequate bedding, insufficient food and water, overcrowding, and restricted access to family and lawyers. Israeli legislative changes have stripped detainees of legal protections, extending the ban on lawyer visits, increasing detention periods, and expanding powers under the Unlawful Combatants Law, enabling ongoing violations of their rights.
Furthermore, the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in Israeli prisons and detention centers have led to a widespread outbreak of skin diseases among Palestinian detainees. Al Mezan's lawyer reports that no medical treatment is provided to detainees in Al-Naqab Prison, and no measures are in placed to control the spread of diseases. Al Mezan has repeatedly warned about the catastrophic health conditions and the spread of epidemics and diseases within the prisons and its impact on the Palestinian detainees.
Al Mezan stresses that Israeli violations against Palestinian detainees amount to war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. These violations, classified as "grave breaches" under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, include intentional killing, torture, inhuman treatment, and the deliberate infliction of severe pain or serious injury to physical or mental health. Furthermore, these actions contravene international legal standards for the treatment of individuals deprived of their liberty, particularly the United Nations (UN) Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), as well as other relevant international conventions and agreements.
Al Mezan holds Israel fully accountable for the death of the five Palestinian detainees and demands an immediate, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Al Mezan warns of the catastrophic consequences of continued abuses and assaults against Palestinian detainees and calls for those responsible for these violations to be held accountable. Additionally, Al Mezan expresses grave concern for the safety and well-being of the remaining Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody and urges the international community to take swift and decisive action to protect them from further harm.
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