The Systematic Torture of Palestinian Healthcare Workers

Report by Human Rights Watch | 2024

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) report from August 2024 details the alleged torture and mistreatment of Palestinian healthcare workers detained by Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict. According to HRW, since October 2023, Israeli forces have arbitrarily detained doctors, nurses, and paramedics, subjecting them to degrading treatment, including beatings, prolonged cuffing, blindfolding, and threats. In some cases, detainees reported being tortured, including through stress positions, electroshock, and threats of sexual violence. These actions reportedly occurred in detention centers both in Israel and the West Bank, following mass arrests during hospital sieges.

HRW highlights that none of the detained healthcare workers were charged with crimes, and their arrests further contributed to the collapse of Gaza’s already strained healthcare system. The report calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate these abuses, which HRW describes as potential war crimes under international law.

The report also stresses the lack of accountability, as Israeli authorities have historically failed to investigate and prosecute such abuses. HRW urges the international community to pressure Israel to allow independent monitoring of detention centers and hold those responsible accountable.

For more details, you can refer to the original report on HRW's website.