A recent report has highlighted serious concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees from Gaza in an Israeli hospital. Whistleblowers, including medical workers, have disclosed to the BBC that these individuals are often kept shackled to their beds, blindfolded, sometimes naked, and forced to wear diapers. This practice, described by one medic as tantamount to torture, is defended by Israel’s Army on security grounds, stating handcuffing is necessary where a security risk exists, and diapers are used only for patients with limited mobility post-medical procedures. The allegations have sparked debate about the medical and ethical treatment of detainees classified as unlawful combatants.
Palestinian detainees from Gaza are routinely shackled, blindfolded, sometimes naked, and forced to wear diapers in an Israeli hospital.
One medic has described these practices as equivalent to torture.
Israel’s Army justifies handcuffing and the use of diapers on the grounds of security risk and medical necessity, respectively.
Allegations are centered on the treatment of detainees at a new field hospital at the State man military base.
Detainees are kept in a state that makes them wholly dependent on their caretakers, a practice described as dehumanizing.
The need to handcuff detainees in the medical facility is examined individually and daily, according to the Army.
Painkillers have reportedly been withheld, causing significant amounts of pain.
Many detainees are released without charge after their detention.
There is growing international concern and scrutiny over these practices, including potential actions by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli officials.
Israel’s response to ICC’s move has been strongly negative, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and legitimacy.
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current state with its current name on New Year’s Day 1927.
The BBC is the national broadcaster of the United Kingdom and the world's oldest and largest broadcast news organization. Principally funded by a public television license fee, it operates under a Royal Charter that mandates editorial impartiality and independence from the UK government. BBC News provides comprehensive global news, current affairs, and factual programming across radio, television, and online platforms, maintaining a vast network of foreign correspondents to serve audiences worldwide.
