A United Nations expert has accused Israel of systematically torturing Palestinians in custody since October 7, 2023, describing the scale of abuse as indicative of “collective vengeance and destructive intent.” In a report titled “Torture and genocide,” Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, said detainees have faced brutal physical and psychological abuse, including beatings, sexual violence, starvation, and deprivation of basic human conditions. She cited at least 300 testimonies and reported that more than 18,500 Palestinians, including 1,500 children, have been arrested, with about 9,000 still detained and over 4,000 subjected to enforced disappearance.
The report, released Friday, focuses on Israeli conduct while condemning torture by all parties. Albanese said Israel’s detention system has become one of “systemic and widespread humiliation, coercion, and terror.” She urged Israel to immediately end all acts of torture and called on the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Israel’s defence, national security, and finance ministers.
Albanese, who will present her findings to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, has faced criticism from Israel and some Western governments, including France and Germany, over her previous statements on Gaza.
Share A United Nations expert says Israel is systematically torturing Palestinians on a scale “that suggests collective vengeance and destructive intent”. In a report released on Friday, Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights s
The ‘1 Nojor’ media platform is now live in beta, inviting users to explore and provide feedback as we continue to refine the experience.
