**No Charges Filed After Deaths of Palestinian Detainees in IDF Custody**
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted 57 criminal investigations into the deaths of Palestinian and Lebanese detainees in military custody, but no indictments have been issued, according to a report by Haaretz. The investigations, which include seven cases involving fatalities due to gunshot wounds, have not resulted in identifying any suspects in most instances.
The findings were revealed through documents obtained by the human rights organization Hatzlacha via Freedom of Information requests. Many of the deaths occurred within IDF detention facilities that are equipped with surveillance cameras. Despite this, the military has been unable to pinpoint individuals responsible for these incidents, as reported by Haaretz.
In addition to the investigations into deaths, the IDF has opened 19 probes into allegations of beatings, violence, and the unlawful use of force against detainees. However, only two indictments have emerged from these inquiries, one of which was dismissed when the alleged victim returned to Gaza before being able to testify.
The report also highlighted that investigations into suspected looting by Israeli soldiers during operations in Gaza and Lebanon have similarly failed to result in any charges.
In response to inquiries regarding these investigations, the IDF affirmed that several probes into suspected violations were indeed initiated, maintaining that the military operates in compliance with international law.
Israel has faced ongoing criticism and allegations of abuse against Palestinian detainees within IDF facilities. This scrutiny intensified following the emergence of a photo depicting a semi-naked, blindfolded Palestinian man bound to an iron rod, which was confirmed by the Israeli military as authentic. The military has promised to investigate this incident, but human rights organizations have characterized it as indicative of a broader pattern of abuse, with Physicians for Human Rights Israel labeling the facilities as “torture camps.”
In a separate incident, the IDF dropped charges against soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman base in July 2024, citing insufficient evidence and procedural issues after disturbing footage of the incident was leaked. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the decision, stating, “Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters.”
Internationally, concerns regarding the treatment of detainees by Israeli forces have gained traction. Last month, Italy and France initiated investigations into the alleged mistreatment of activists detained while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla in May. Many activists reported experiences of beatings, torture, sexual assault, and even rape by Israeli troops during their detainment.
The ongoing investigations and the lack of accountability for the deaths of detainees continue to raise questions about the treatment of individuals in IDF custody and the adherence to international human rights standards.