Investigative journalists have revealed that Israel is holding nearly 3/4 of all detained Palestinians unrelated to Hamas, with shocking details emerging from secret military intelligence databases and official prison statistics.
Investigative findings
Daily newspaper journalists obtained classified data from Israel’s military intelligence database, as well as official prison statistics released through court proceedings. Statements from former Palestinian prisoners and Israeli soldiers corroborate that Israeli authorities consciously detained civilians for long periods under frightening conditions, frequently subjecting them to abuse and torture.
May mass arrests
In May 2021 – following a court order – Israel disclosed that during the first 19 months of the Gaza conflict, a total of 6,000 Palestinians were arrested. Under the “combatant law,” individuals can be detained indefinitely without charge or trial if there are “reasonable grounds” to believe they participated in “hostile actions against the State of Israel” or are members of a group that did so. Of the 6,000 arrested, only 1,450 were linked to Hamas, indicating that approximately 3/4 of those detained were unaffiliated with terrorist groups.
Concerns about Israel’s actions
Reporters highlighted that during the war in the Gaza Strip, Israel released over 2,500 prisoners and detainees considered “combatants” due to overcrowding in prisons. This suggested that these individuals were not viewed as genuine combatants. Additionally, 1,050 people were released as part of a hostage exchange agreed upon between Israel and Hamas. Israel claims these numbers are “false” and that reporters’ statements reflect a misunderstanding of detention procedures in Israel. The country also assures proper medical care for detainees and verification processes.
