The article, based on interviews with former prisoners and lawyers, as well as an examination of autopsy reports, reveals a pattern of severe abuse, neglect, and even deaths within the Israeli prison system.
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, responded to the report by stating that it represents only "the tip of the iceberg" regarding the medieval tortures inflicted on Palestinians.
He highlighted leaked accounts of torture and crimes committed at the Sadi Timan military base in the Negev desert, asserting that the Israeli regime has set a new benchmark for brutality, comparable to infamous detention facilities like Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.
The Washington Post's investigation involved interviews with 11 former detainees and half a dozen lawyers, alongside an examination of autopsy reports. The findings indicate rampant violence, including routine beatings, denial of medical care, and psychological abuse. One harrowing account described a prisoner who died after being beaten, while others reported significant weight loss and inadequate nutrition.
International human rights groups have raised alarms about the deteriorating conditions in Israeli prisons, particularly since the escalation of violence following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Reports indicate that Israel's prison system, designed for 14,500 inmates, is currently housing over 21,000, leading to overcrowding and neglect.
Kanaani called on international organizations and human rights activists to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities in addressing these abuses.
The report may also serve as crucial evidence for ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court into potential war crimes associated with Israel's military actions in Gaza.
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