Recent revelations have uncovered harrowing details of human rights violations at the Sde Teiman detention centre in Israel, where Palestinian detainees have reportedly been subjected to systematic torture, abuse, and organ theft. Muneer al-Boursh, director general of the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, disclosed in an interview with Al Jazeera that forensic examinations of 195 Palestinian bodies returned by Israel showed signs of severe mistreatment, including crush injuries, strangulation, burns, and lacerations. Some remains bore evidence of autopsies, while others were missing organs, reigniting fears of illegal organ harvesting—a practice Israel admitted to in 2009 but claims to have ended in the 1990s. The bodies were handed over as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza, which stipulates the exchange of remains and prisoners. Since the Gaza genocide began in October 2023, thousands of Palestinians have been detained at Sde Teiman, often without charge. Reports from media outlets like Middle East Eye, CNN, and the New York Times have documented widespread abuse, including torture, rape, and killings. Human rights organizations, including Israel’s B’Tselem, have condemned the facility, labeling it a ‘torture camp.’ The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of 15 Palestinian bodies, bringing the total returned to 165, with an expected 400 to be exchanged. The ceasefire, reached two weeks ago, aims to end the war on Gaza and address prisoner exchanges. However, allegations of abuse and deaths in custody continue to surface, with 80 Palestinian detainees confirmed dead since October 2023. The international community has called for accountability, but the situation remains dire as fresh reports of torture emerge even after the ceasefire.
Palestinian bodies released by Israel came from infamous Sde Teiman detention centre
