From Sde Teiman to Ofer and Antout Shocking Testimonies from Gaza Detainees

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Shocking testimonies reveal torture and mistreatment in new Israeli prisons designated for Gaza prisoners.

Under pressure from the Israeli Supreme Court to improve the conditions of Palestinian detainees from Gaza, the army transferred hundreds of them to new detention camps. However, the “violations” in these camps were “just as severe,” according to Israeli human rights organizations that interviewed dozens of current and former detainees, and are now asking the same court to force the army to permanently resolve the issue, according to the Associated Press.

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New Prison, Same Fate

After documenting “horrible violations” at the “Sde Teiman” detention center in the Negev Desert, including “brutal beatings, denial of healthcare, and insufficient nutrition,” the “Ofer” and “Antout” camps were opened in the West Bank.

However, testimonies from dozens of detainees, gathered by Israeli human rights organizations, confirm that “the violations continued with the same brutality,” prompting these organizations to return to the Supreme Court to demand the permanent end of these practices.

Jessica Montel, director of “Hamoked,” one of the human rights organizations that submitted a petition to the Israeli government, stated: “What we saw was the erosion of basic standards for humane detention.”

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In response to a comment request from the Associated Press, the army stated that it adheres to international law and “categorically rejects the claims regarding systematic abuse of detainees.”

The “Ofer” and “Antout” camps were built to resolve the issues documented by human rights organizations at the “Sde Teiman” detention center.

Shocking Testimonies

Detainees transferred to “Ofer” and “Antout” claim that the conditions there were “no better,” according to over 30 people interviewed by lawyers from “Hamoked” and Physicians for Human Rights in Israel. The Associated Press noted that it was the first international news agency to cover written testimonies issued by Physicians for Human Rights.

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Khaled Al-Sar, a 32-year-old surgeon from Gaza, who spent several months at the Ofer camp, agreed to share his experiences and stated: “They will punish you for anything.”

Released after six months without charges, Al-Sar no longer counted the number of times he was beaten by soldiers after his arrest in March of the previous year during a raid at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. He added: “One will be punished simply for making eye contact, asking for medicine, or looking at the sky.”

The accounts of other detainees, gathered by human rights organizations, could not be independently verified, but their testimonies, which were given separately, were similar, according to the source.

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No Charges

Since the war began, Israel has arrested thousands of detainees in Gaza on suspicion of ties to Hamas. Thousands more have been released, often after several months of detention.

During the ceasefire that began on January 19 before recently collapsing, hundreds of detainees were released. But with the recent resumption of ground operations in Gaza, arrests have continued.

The army refuses to disclose the number of detainees it holds.

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“No Medical Care”

According to Khaled Al-Sar’s testimony, he was detained with 21 other Gaza detainees in a 40-square-meter cell, containing eight bunk beds. Some slept on the floor on camping mattresses that soldiers punctured to prevent them from inflating. Scabies and lice were widespread.

He mentioned that he was only allowed to leave his cell once a week.

“Torture”

Prisoners from Ofer and Antout spoke of regular beatings with hands and batons. Some said they were held handcuffed for months, even while sleeping and eating, and were only unshackled when allowed to take a shower once a week.

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Poor Food

Regarding food, detainees complained of constant hunger, as meals consisted of a few slices of white bread with cucumber or tomato, sometimes accompanied by a piece of chocolate or custard.

Israeli nutritionist Lehi Joffe stated that this ration provided no more than 1000 calories per day, half the necessary minimum for an adult, and described the prison diet as “inhuman.”

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Army’s Response

In response to the Associated Press’s questions, the Israeli army stated that it was unaware of the claims that soldiers woke up detainees.

It added that detainees are allowed to shower regularly and go outside daily in the yard.

Punishment for Meeting with Lawyer

Two months into his detention, Al-Sar had a 5-minute video call with a judge, who stated that he would remain in prison for the foreseeable future.

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