Now, an intrepid physician from Gaza, Dr. Khaled al Sir, has done just that. He recently issued astonishing charges of sexual abuse and torture—yes, torture—of prisoners in Israeli detention. On at least one occasion in March 2024, Israeli forces detained Dr. al Sir. He did not get out of jail until September 30, 2024, during a broader medical staff crackdown at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. His allegations, corroborated by accounts from other released detainees, paint a chilling picture of systemic abuse within these detention centers.
Dr. al Sir’s release came almost a month after the bulk of his colleagues were released on July 27. Now back in Gaza, he has treated dozens of former prisoners traumatized and wounded by their time in detention. His creations give face to the tortures that Palestinians suffer inside Israeli prisons.
Allegations of Sexual Assault
Dr. al Sir has described seeing thousands of acts of sexual assault in the course of his detention—passed off as intended shaming and punishment. He recounted several cases in which batons were used to perpetrate sexual violence. This shocking revelation sheds light on the horrible abuse inmates experienced.
“I witnessed many prisoners who were sexually assaulted using baton in their buttholes and also using the pepper spray over their private parts,” – Dr. Khaled al Sir.
The charges go well beyond just Dr. al Sir’s individual testimonials. Another person held on this wave of arrests was a teenage boy, Mahmoud. He shared the horrific violence he experienced at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
“They beat us with sticks. Got on us while we were lying on the ground,” – Mahmoud.
Mahmoud’s testimony reveals a similar pattern of abuse that aligns with Dr. al Sir’s observations. He remembered being naked and brutalized, saying that on some occasions, though handcuffed, he was left stark naked while perpetrators assaulted him.
“I was tortured [but] we are children. What have we done?” – Mahmoud.
Given how consistent these accounts are, that’s a serious question. They draw attention to the torture of detainees and the level of abuse rampant in Israeli prisons.
The Conditions in Detention Centers
Dr. al Sir called out the Sde Teiman detention center in particular. He called this “hell section” a place where abuse was most prevalent. These experiences have deepened Kamau’s resolve around the injuries released prisoners face. They have awakened his passion to fight tooth and nail for their rights.
Additionally, Sami, another young detainee, described his experience, as an example of the psychological destruction of the torturing effects of long-term torture.
“I was tortured for a week until I lost all sense of time and awareness,” – Sami.
Sami’s story gives us a terrifying picture of what life inside detention centers is like. He suffered a week of isolation under conditions equivalent to full deprivation of sunlight. He recounted being blindfolded and handcuffed, as he faced his own physical torture.
The emotional toll of these experiences cannot be overstated. Mahmoud described his mental state upon release, showing how their abusive actions haunted them even after being released.
“When I was released from prison, I had a breakdown. I felt mentally exhausted and deeply disgusted,” – Mahmoud.
Responses and Ongoing Investigations
As ever, the IDF strongly rejects all accusations of abuse or mistreatment of detainees. There is plenty of evidence that they stand strong against these serious claims. Specifically, they argue that their operation is heavily regulated through security measures and regulations that minimize security risk.
Dr. al Sir and other detainees have provided compelling and moving testimonies. Together, these should raise serious red flags about Israel’s military detention system’s human rights practices. More such stories are rapidly coming to light. More and more, the public is calling for independent investigations to get to the bottom of the alleged abuses.
Dr. al Sir’s testimonies expose shocking realities in how people in detention are treated. Their testimony, along with corroborating testimony from other healthcare professionals and ex-detainees, points to an immediate need of transparency and accountability. The eyes of the international community are upon you. The impact of these allegations would be truly devastating, at a time when justice and human rights perceptions are already exceedingly damaged in the region.
