The number of Palestinians who have died in Israeli custody since October 2023 has reached at least 98, according to a new report by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI). The organization cautions that this figure is likely conservative, with the true death toll potentially much higher due to missing information, especially for those detained from Gaza.
PHRI’s extensive investigation relied on a multi-faceted approach, combining official Israeli records with information obtained through freedom of information requests. This was further enriched by forensic findings, personal testimonies from families and lawyers, and accounts from detained individuals. The group identified physical violence and medical neglect as primary causes of death.
The report details that 46 Palestinians died while under the jurisdiction of the Israel Prison Service (IPS) since the war began. In addition, it records at least 52 deaths among Palestinians from Gaza held in Israeli military detention. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of hundreds of other Gazan detainees amplifies the concern that the actual number of fatalities is substantially greater than what has been officially acknowledged or documented.
Concerns about transparency were amplified when Israeli authorities reportedly ceased sharing information with the Red Cross and restricted access to detention facilities early in the conflict. When approached for comment, the Israel Prison Service maintained that its operations are legal and that detainees’ rights, including medical access, are upheld. However, the IPS stated it was unaware of the incidents as presented by PHRI and that the allegations did not align with their procedures.