Palestinian Journalists Report Systematic Abuse in Israeli Prisons
Palestinian journalists detained by Israel between October 2023 and January 2026 have alleged widespread and systematic abuse while in custody, according to a new report released Thursday by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The report details accounts of torture, beatings, starvation, sexual violence, and medical neglect.
The CPJ report is based on in-depth interviews with 59 Palestinian journalists who were released from Israeli detention during the specified period. According to the organization, all but one of those interviewed reported experiencing what they described as torture, abuse, or other forms of violence.
The testimonies paint a harrowing picture of conditions inside Israeli prisons. Journalists described being subjected to beatings, some resulting in severe injuries. Several recounted experiences of prolonged starvation and deliberate denial of necessary medical care. Disturbingly, the report also includes allegations of sexual violence, including rape.
One journalist, Ahmed Abdel Aal, recalled being held blindfolded in a room where deafening music was played continuously for five days. He described being beaten repeatedly while the music blared, with electric shocks and blows used to revive him when he lost consciousness. Another journalist, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, detailed a similar experience in a location detainees refer to as the “disco room,” alleging he was bound and beaten, suffering injuries that caused bleeding during urination. He reported being told he would be permanently emasculated.
As of , CPJ has documented the detention of at least 94 Palestinian journalists and one media worker since October 7, 2023. This includes 32 journalists and one media worker from Gaza, 60 from the West Bank, and two within Israel itself. Thirty journalists remain in custody.
CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg stated, “CPJ’s reporting shows a clear pattern in how Palestinian journalists were treated in Israeli custody. The scale and consistency of these testimonies point to something far beyond isolated misconduct. When dozens of journalists independently describe physical and psychological abuse, the international community must take action. Humanitarian law sets unequivocal standards for the treatment of detainees and there needs to be meaningful accountability for failure to meet these standards.”
The organization attempted to interview all 65 journalists released from Israeli custody since October 7, 2023. One journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, and five others declined to participate. CPJ’s 2025 Prisons Census identified Israel as a top jailer of journalists, a designation it has held since 2023.
The report’s findings underscore growing concerns about the safety and well-being of journalists operating in conflict zones and the need for greater international scrutiny of the treatment of detainees. The CPJ is calling for accountability for those responsible for the alleged abuses and for adherence to international humanitarian law regarding the treatment of prisoners.
