The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that Palestinians arrested by the occupation forces during the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip were mostly held in secret detention centers, and in some cases were subjected to treatment that may amount to torture.

The staggering number of men, women, children, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders detained in deplorable conditions since 7 October, most without charge or trial, coupled with reports of ill-treatment, torture and violations of due process guarantees, raises serious concerns about the arbitrary and punitive nature of such arrests and detentions, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

“The testimonies collected by our commission and other bodies point to a range of deplorable acts, such as waterboarding, unleashing dogs on detainees, and other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” he added.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report said conditions in detention centres run by the Israeli military were worsening, adding that children were among those detained, and in some cases were allegedly held with adults.

Detainees said they were held in cage-like facilities, stripped naked for long periods, and left in diapers. They described being blindfolded for long periods, subjected to electric shocks, burned with cigarettes, and deprived of food, sleep, and water.

Some detainees reported that dogs were set on them, while others reported being waterboarded, or having their hands tied and their bodies hung from the ceiling. Men and women also reported being subjected to sexual and gender-based violence.

Turk stressed that international humanitarian law protects all detainees and requires that they be treated humanely and protected from all acts of violence and threats of violence.

“International law requires that all persons deprived of their liberty be treated with humanity and dignity, and strictly prohibits torture or other ill-treatment, including rape and other forms of sexual violence. Prolonged secret detention without contact may amount to a form of torture,” he said.

The High Commissioner called for prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into all incidents resulting in serious violations of international law, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and that all victims and their families have the right to redress and reparation.