UN Criticizes Israel for 'De Facto Policy of Torture' in Detention Centers

Wed Jan 14 2026 19:18:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent UN committee on torture reveals evidence of widespread and systematic torture within Israeli detention centers, prompting international concern and calls for accountability.

The United Nations committee on torture has reported evidence of a 'de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture' by Israel in detention centers. Palestinian rights groups presented disturbing accounts regarding the treatment of detainees, including allegations of severe beatings, deprivation of food and water, and even torture methods such as electrocution and sexual violence. The findings have sparked outrage and calls for independent investigations into the reported conditions, with the committee underscoring that such treatment amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The United Nations committee on torture says there is evidence that Israel is operating a 'de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture'.

The committee regularly reviews the records of all countries which have signed the convention against torture, taking testimony from their governments, and from human rights groups.

During Israel's review both Israeli and Palestinian rights groups gave harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres. It is alleged that thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7th 2023.

Under Israel's laws on administrative detention and on Unlawful Combatants – suspects who cannot be classed as prisoner of war - they can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members.

Many Palestinian families say they have waited months to even find out that a loved one has been detained, amounting, the UN committee said, to 'enforced disappearance'.

The committee was particularly critical of Israel's reported use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain whole groups of Palestinians, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

But it is the reported conditions in detention that make the grimmest reading in the committee's conclusions, published today.

Palestinians, the evidence suggests, are regularly deprived of food and water, and subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence. Some are allegedly permanently shackled, denied access to a toilet, and forced to wear diapers.

The committee concluded that such treatment 'amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity'. It said evidence of a 'de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture' by Israel was one of the acts which constitute the crime of genocide under international law.

Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

One committee member, Peter Vedel Kessing of Denmark, stated that he and his colleagues were 'deeply appalled' by what they heard. Committee members called on Israel to launch independent investigations and to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Israel's ambassador, Daniel Meron, described the allegations of torture as 'disinformation', asserting Israel's commitment to uphold moral values even in facing terrorism.

The findings highlight ongoing concerns regarding human rights violations amidst the conflict, especially regarding the treatment of Palestinians in detention under the context of administrative law.

Criticism comes alongside broader condemnation of violence and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, leading to pressures intensified on Israel's human rights record.