On Friday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories expressed its deep concern about the significant increase in Israeli arrests of Palestinians, and called for an investigation into accusations of torture during detention in Israel.

A statement issued by the office stated that Israel has arrested more than 3,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the start of the war on Gaza in early October.

It added that a record number are being detained without charge or trial. He continued that within two months, six Palestinians died in Israeli prisons, which is the largest number of deaths in such a short period in decades, according to Reuters.

Since the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent violent Israeli bombing of Gaza, Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons have reported deteriorating conditions, including overcrowding, restrictions on access to food and water, and limited visits from family or lawyers.

Many said they were beaten and abused by guards, including threats of rape.

The office said, “The huge increase in the number of Palestinians arrested and detained, the number of reports of ill-treatment and humiliation suffered by detainees, and the reported failure to adhere to basic due process, all of this raises serious questions about the extent of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law and international law.”

It added: “All deaths in custody and allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment must be investigated and accountability ensured.”

The Israel Prison Service said that all its prisoners were “detained in accordance with the provisions of the law” and that the prisoners’ deaths were under investigation.

As part of the truce agreement with Hamas, Israel released 240 Palestinian women and children from its prisons, more than half of whom were detained without charge, according to Israeli records.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said that during the cessation of fighting, which lasted a week, Israel arrested more than 260 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Source: Alsharq Alawsat