At least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to a scathing report by Physicians for Human Rights in Israel (PHRI) released on Monday, and amid mass detentions and disappearances, the real death toll is likely much higher.
PHRI records that 46 people died in Israeli prison facilities and 52 died while in military custody. This rate was one death every four days in the first eight months of the war, a sharp increase from the pre-war average of two to three deaths per year.
Testimony and forensic evidence detail assaults, sexual violence, starvation and medical neglect that were common under far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir.
High-profile cases include the death of orthopedic surgeon Adnan al-Bash in Ofer prison. Families often do not identify or receive the remains.
Beyond detention, Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, including more than 20,000 children.
After a ceasefire in mid-October released more than 1,900 detainees, Israel continues to hold at least 1,000 Gazans without charge in a regime of impunity and deadly abuse.