"We returned from hell’: Rights group raises alarm over torture in Israeli jails • FRANCE 24

We Return From Hell: Abuse of Palestinian Journalists in Israeli Prisons (October 2023 – January 2026)

Key Concepts:

• Administrative Detention: Holding individuals without charge or trial, a practice frequently used by Israel.
• Sensory Torture: Methods designed to disorient and inflict psychological distress through manipulation of the senses (e.g., loud noise, prolonged darkness).
• International Humanitarian Law: A set of rules governing the conduct of armed conflict, including the treatment of prisoners.
• Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): A non-profit organization dedicated to defending the rights of journalists worldwide.
• "Grand Welcome": A coordinated beating of newly arrived detainees in Israeli prisons.
• Ghost Hanging: A torture method involving tying a detainee’s hands behind their back and suspending them by their arms.

I. Report Overview & Scope of Abuse

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a report titled “We Return From Hell,” detailing widespread abuse of Palestinian journalists in Israeli prisons between October 2023 and January 2026. The report is based on interviews with 59 released Palestinian journalists. A staggering 58 out of 59 journalists reported experiencing some form of abuse. This abuse encompasses a range of severe violations, including beatings, starvation, medical negligence, sexual violence (including rape and penetration with objects), and sensory torture. Specific examples cited include being subjected to prolonged periods lying face down in filthy conditions, confinement in rooms playing extremely loud music, and attacks by dogs.

II. Systemic Nature of the Abuse & Lack of Due Process

Jodi Ginsburg of the CPJ emphasized that the abuse is not isolated incidents perpetrated by rogue officers, but rather a “clear pattern of systemic abuse” occurring across multiple detention centers and jails. The testimonies collected were consistent and independent, pointing to a deliberate and widespread practice. A significant issue highlighted is the lack of due process. The vast majority of detained journalists are not charged with any crime and can be held indefinitely. Many were denied access to legal representation, violating international humanitarian law. The report notes that attempting to use official appeal mechanisms often resulted in worse treatment for those who complained.

III. Specific Torture Methods & Testimonies

The report details several specific torture methods employed:

• “Grand Welcome”: A coordinated beating administered to detainees upon arrival at prison, involving shackling, blindfolding, and physical assault by soldiers using kicks and blows with buttons.
• Ghost Hanging: A method where detainees’ hands are tied behind their backs, and their bodies are hoisted and suspended.
• Sensory Deprivation/Overload: Prolonged blindfolding (up to five days in one case), exposure to continuous loud Hebrew and English music, and other methods designed to disorient and inflict psychological distress.
• Physical Assault: Injuries sustained during detention, including eye injuries, burns from lit cigarettes, and general beatings.

Specific testimonies mentioned include: Muhammad Immad Sultan suffering an eye injury; Abdul Mosen Shaladen being burned with lit cigarettes; and Ahmed Abdel Al being blindfolded, stripped, and subjected to continuous loud music.

IV. Israeli Government Response & Denial of Torture

The CPJ reached out to the Israeli government for comment. The government refused to provide details on individual cases but denied engaging in torture. It acknowledged the existence of appeal systems but acknowledged that utilizing these systems often led to increased mistreatment. The government maintains that Israel is a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture and denies any violations.

V. Targeting of Journalists & Control of Narrative

The CPJ addressed the common Israeli claim that targeted journalists are collaborators with groups like Hamas. Jodi Ginsburg stated that Israel has “produced no credible evidence” to support this claim, and that many journalists were specifically targeted because of their reporting. Journalists reported being threatened, and their families threatened, and were even pressured to spy on their own communities. This is framed as part of a broader pattern of attempting to control the narrative and censor information about events in Gaza.

VI. Current Situation & International Accountability

As of the time of the interview, at least 30 Palestinian journalists remain in Israeli custody. The report highlights the difficulty in securing the release of journalists, even through mechanisms like prisoner exchanges during ceasefires. Israel has demonstrated resistance to international pressure and adherence to its own internal rules. The CPJ is pursuing avenues for accountability, including submitting cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Ginsburg emphasized the importance of continued documentation and bearing witness as key to achieving future justice, even if it takes years or decades.

VII. Limitations & CPJ’s Role

The CPJ clarified that it is not a court and therefore cannot definitively determine if the actions constitute torture under international law, but the reported abuses are “consistent with some of the definitions” of torture. The organization’s primary role is to document and advocate for the protection of journalists.

Conclusion:

The “We Return From Hell” report presents a deeply disturbing picture of systematic abuse inflicted upon Palestinian journalists in Israeli prisons. The evidence points to a deliberate pattern of torture and mistreatment, coupled with a denial of due process and attempts to suppress independent reporting. The report underscores the urgent need for international scrutiny, accountability mechanisms, and sustained pressure on Israel to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law and respect the rights of journalists. The continued detention of 30 journalists and the lack of effective redress mechanisms highlight the severity of the situation and the challenges ahead.