Israel abused Gaza war detainees, UN report alleges - BBC News

The BBC sees a draft document containing testimony from detainees, but Israel disputes their accounts.

2 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, ReutersImage caption, Many Palestinians were apprehended in northern Gaza as they sought shelter, the report saidBy Lyse DoucetChief international correspondentAn internal UN report seen by the BBC has described widespread abuse of Palestinians who were captured and interrogated at makeshift Israeli detention centres during the ongoing war in Gaza.

The draft document compiled by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), the main UN agency supporting Palestinians, includes detailed testimony from detainees who describe an extensive range of ill-treatment.

They include being stripped and beaten, being forced into cages and attacked by dogs, forced into stress positions for extended periods, and subjected to "blunt force trauma" including the butts of guns and boots, resulting in some cases in "broken ribs, separated shoulders and lasting injuries".

It says both men and women reported "threats and incidents of sexual violence and harassment" including inappropriate touching of women and beatings to men's genitals.

In a statement provided to the BBC, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said: "The mistreatment of detainees during their time in detention or whilst under interrogation violates IDF values and contravenes IDF and is therefore absolutely prohibited."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68514816

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