What we know about the torture, abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Israel – Al Jazeera

 

Report on Alleged Human Rights Violations in Israeli Detention and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report details allegations of torture, abuse, and extrajudicial killings of Palestinian detainees by Israeli authorities, following the return of over 100 deceased individuals to Gaza. The evidence presented, including forensic findings and detainee testimonies, indicates severe breaches of international humanitarian law. These actions directly contravene several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Forensic Evidence and Medical Findings: Violations of SDG 3 and SDG 16

Condition of Deceased Individuals

Upon examination by forensic teams and medical sources in Gaza, the returned bodies of more than 100 Palestinians exhibited signs inconsistent with natural death, pointing to a failure to uphold the rule of law and protect human life as mandated by SDG 16 and SDG 3.

• Many bodies remained unidentified, marked only with numbers, impeding the right to a dignified burial and causing distress to families of the missing.
• Forensic evidence indicated signs of severe physical abuse and torture prior to death.
• Specific injuries reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry included missing limbs, missing teeth, and evidence of burning.
• Several individuals were found still blindfolded and handcuffed, with one body reportedly having a rope around the neck, suggesting they were executed while restrained.

These findings have led to calls for an urgent international investigation into potential war crimes, in alignment with SDG 16’s target to ensure equal access to justice and accountability for all.

Testimonies of Released Detainees: A Pattern of Abuse

The accounts of nearly 2,000 Palestinians released as part of a ceasefire deal corroborate the physical evidence and highlight a systemic pattern of abuse that undermines fundamental human rights and the principles of SDG 3 and SDG 16.

Physical and Psychological Torture

1. Severe Physical Harm: Released detainee Mahmoud Abu Foul reported losing his eyesight after being beaten unconscious. Salem Eid stated he is unable to lie on his back due to injuries sustained from beatings.
2. Malnutrition and Neglect: Kamal Abu Shanab reported his weight dropped from 127kg to 68kg during his detention, indicating deliberate starvation, a violation of the right to health under SDG 3.
3. Psychological Abuse: Detainees reported being subjected to psychological torture, including being falsely informed by Israeli soldiers that their families had been killed.

Systemic Issues and Gender-Based Violence (SDG 5)

Human rights organizations have documented widespread and systemic abuse within the Israeli prison system, further challenging the achievement of strong and just institutions (SDG 16).

• The Israeli rights group B’Tselem described the system as a “network of torture camps,” citing severe violence, humiliation, and denial of adequate medical treatment.
• A verified incident of the gang rape of a Palestinian prisoner by guards at the Sde Teiman detention facility represents a grave violation of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

Case Study: Marwan Barghouti and Institutional Accountability

Allegations of Targeted Mistreatment

The case of prominent Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti illustrates the alleged targeting of individuals and a lack of institutional accountability, in direct opposition to the principles of SDG 16.

• Reports from released prisoners allege that Israeli forces beat Barghouti, breaking his ribs in three places.
• His son stated that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is in charge of the prison service, personally threatened Barghouti with an electric chair.

Failure of Accountability and Contradiction of SDG 16

The alleged actions of a government minister, coupled with official denials of mistreatment that lack substantiating evidence, severely undermine the objective of SDG 16 to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The defense of such practices by political figures further erodes the rule of law.

Conclusion: Urgent Call for Investigation in Line with SDG 16

The collective evidence from forensic examinations, medical reports, and detainee testimonies points to systematic human rights violations that contravene international law and obstruct progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals. The allegations of torture, execution, sexual violence, and denial of medical care represent profound failures to protect human life (SDG 3), ensure gender equality (SDG 5), and maintain peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). An independent international investigation is imperative to establish accountability for these alleged war crimes and uphold the universal principles of justice and human dignity.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights severe human rights violations, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and inhumane treatment of detainees. These issues are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article extensively details the severe physical and psychological harm inflicted upon Palestinian detainees, including physical abuse, denial of medical treatment, and psychological torture, all of which are antithetical to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most central SDG related to the article. The content focuses on the breakdown of justice, the prevalence of violence (torture, executions) within state institutions (prisons), and the lack of accountability, which directly undermines the goal of promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s descriptions of detainees dying from beatings or denial of medical care relate to the prevention of premature mortality. Furthermore, the mention of “psychological torture,” such as telling a detainee his family was dead, directly contravenes the promotion of mental health and well-being.
• Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services…” The article explicitly states that detainees have “died after being refused treatment for months” and that there is a “denial of adequate medical treatment” in the Israeli prison system. This demonstrates a clear failure to provide essential healthcare services to this population.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article is replete with examples of extreme violence, including torture, beatings, and executions. It states that forensic teams found bodies with “signs of physical abuse,” and that Israel had “executed dozens of Palestinians.” The report of at least “75 Palestinian detainees” dying in jails since October 7, 2023, directly relates to this target.
• Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” While the article does not specify children, the core principle of ending abuse and torture is central. The text describes the prison system as a “network of torture camps” with “frequent acts of severe, arbitrary violence; sexual assault; humiliation and degradation.” The documented gang rape of a prisoner by guards is a stark example of the violence this target aims to end.
• Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article points to a systemic failure of the rule of law. The fact that bodies are returned with “signs of severe torture and burning” and that these are considered “war crime[s] demanding an urgent international investigation” indicates a lack of justice and accountability. The article also notes that while Israel has promised investigations in some cases, “many remain open,” suggesting impunity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article contains several specific data points and qualitative descriptions that can serve as indicators to measure the lack of progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

• Health status of released detainees: The article provides concrete examples that can be used as qualitative and quantitative indicators. For instance, one detainee lost his eyesight due to beatings, another’s weight dropped from 127kg to 68kg, and a third is unable to lie on his back due to injuries. These are direct measures of the negative health impact of detention.
• Mortality due to denial of care: The statement that “dozens of Palestinians who have… died after being refused treatment for months” serves as a direct indicator of the failure to provide essential healthcare (Target 3.8).

Indicators for SDG 16 Targets

• Number of deaths in custody: The article provides a specific number: “At least 75 Palestinian detainees have also died in Israeli jails since October 7, 2023.” This is a direct indicator for measuring violence and related death rates (Target 16.1).
• Prevalence and nature of torture: The article provides numerous indicators of torture. These include forensic evidence on returned bodies (“missing limbs or teeth,” “burned,” “rope around his neck”), documented cases of beatings (“broken Barghouti’s ribs in three places”), sexual assault (“gang rape of a Palestinian prisoner”), and psychological abuse (being falsely told family members were dead). The B’Tselem report calling the system a “network of torture camps” is a strong qualitative indicator (Target 16.2).
• Lack of accountability and justice: An implied indicator for the failure of the rule of law (Target 16.3) is the lack of concluded investigations. The article states that for many cases of execution, investigations “remain open.” The call by a Health Ministry official for an “urgent international investigation” also implies a failure of the national justice system to provide accountability.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Reduce premature mortality and promote mental health. 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential healthcare.	Number of detainees who died after being refused medical treatment (“dozens”). Incidence of psychological torture (e.g., detainees being falsely told their families were killed). Physical health deterioration of detainees (e.g., weight loss from 127kg to 68kg, loss of eyesight, inability to lie down due to beatings).
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates. 16.2: End abuse, violence, and torture. 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	Number of detainee deaths in custody (“At least 75… since October 7, 2023”). Number of alleged executions (“dozens of Palestinians”). Documented evidence of torture on bodies (missing limbs, burns, signs of being bound). Reports of specific acts of violence (beatings, gang rape, breaking of ribs). Number of unresolved investigations into detainee deaths (“many remain open”).

Source: aljazeera.com