Wellcome to Hell
The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps
By B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
August 2024
https://www.btselem.org/publications/202408_welcome_to_hell
“Welcome to Hell” is a report on the abuse and inhuman treatment of Palestinians held in Israeli custody since 7 October 2023. B’Tselem collected testimonies from 55 Palestinians held during that time and released, almost all with no charges. Their testimonies reveal the outcomes of the rushed transformation of more than a dozen Israeli prison facilities, military and civilian, into a network of camps dedicated to the abuse of inmates as a matter of policy. Facilities in which every inmate is deliberately subjected to harsh, relentless pain and suffering operate as de-facto torture camps.
Index
Introduction, page 5
1. Background and methodology, page 13
2. The normative framework, page 17
3. Prison protocols, page 21
— A. Overpopulation and crowding in cells, page 26
— B. No sunlight and no air to breathe, page 28
— C. Roll call and cell searches, page 29
— D. Denying access to and contact with the outside world, page 31
— E. Restrictions on religious worship, page 39
— F. Confiscation of personal possessions, page 41
— G. Living in darkness, page 42
4. Physical and psychological abuse, page 44
— A. Physical violence and intimidation, page 47
— B. Sleep deprivation, page 53
— C. Violence during transfers and travel, page 55
— D. Sexual violence, page 58
5. Deprivation of adequate living conditions, page 62
— A. Absence and denial of medical treatment, page 65
— B. Food deprivation and starvation, page 73
— C. Hygiene, cutting off the water supply and cold, page 78
6. Keter – the Israel Prison Service Initial Reaction Force (IRF), page 82
7. Deaths behind bars, page 89
8. Palestinian prisoners with Israeli citizenship, page 100
9. Conclusion, page 112
Download full report:
https://www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202408_welcome_to_hell_eng.pdf
Download summary:
https://www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202408_welcome_to_hell_summary_eng.pdf
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See also:
“They were trying to exterminate us”: Palestinian children in Gaza tortured by Israeli military
By Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP)
August 21, 2024
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Inside Israel’s torture, rape, and dehumanization centers
Shocking even by Israeli standards, the horrifying truth of the occupation’s systematic torture, rape, and degradation of Palestinian detainees reveals a brutality buried in silence.
By Robert Inlakesh
August 13, 2024
https://afsaneyebahar.com/2024/08/14/20701449/
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Israel is in a death spiral. Who will it take down with it?
By Jonathan Cook
August 7, 2024
https://afsaneyebahar.com/2024/08/08/20701341/
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Israel’s escalating use of torture against Palestinians in custody a preventable crime against humanity: UN experts
UN-OHCHR
August 5, 2024
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A/HRC/53/59: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
UN-OHCHR
June 9, 2023
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Amir Mortasawi (alias Afsane Bahar) (امیر مرتضوی (افسانه بهار 