The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said today (Thursday) that Israel acknowledged the participation of 14 guards in the Negev prison in the killing of a Palestinian detainee, whom they beat to death.

The authority explained that an investigation was opened against 14 defendants, who are believed to be involved in beating the prisoner and causing his death, noting that the incident occurred about a month ago, and that the dead man, whose name was not revealed, belonged to the Fatah movement and was 38 years old and was facing a life sentence.

It said that the guards beat the prisoner with sticks in a cell, which led to him sustaining serious injuries from which he died.

The broadcasting authority reported that the Israeli authorities interrogated the fourteen suspects, issued them a warning, then released them and gave them leave until further notice.

Commenting on the incident, the Israeli Prison Service was quoted as saying that the level of “challenges and threats” that the guards face while carrying out their duties has increased significantly since the start of the war on Gaza last October, as a result of the detention centers receiving thousands of prisoners.