A United Nations-appointed human rights expert has accused Israel of systematically abusing Palestinians in custody on a scale she says points to collective punishment and destructive intent. In a report released on Friday, Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said Palestinians detained since October 7, 2023, have faced exceptionally severe physical and psychological mistreatment.
The report, titled “Torture and genocide,” examines what Albanese describes as Israel’s systematic use of torture against Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory since the start of the Gaza war. It argues that abuse in detention has been carried out on an unprecedented scale as a form of punitive collective revenge.
According to the report, detainees have been exposed to brutal violence and harsh living conditions, including severe beatings, sexual abuse, starvation, and the denial of basic human needs. Albanese said these practices have left lasting physical and emotional damage not only on detainees, but also on their families.
Claims Based on Testimonies and Written Submissions
Albanese said her findings were based on written material and at least 300 testimonies. A statement released alongside the report said she condemns torture and mistreatment by all parties, including Palestinian armed groups, but that this report specifically focuses on Israeli conduct.
Israel is a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In the report, Albanese says the current detention system has moved into what she describes as a pattern of widespread humiliation, coercion, and fear.
She said arrests of Palestinians in the occupied territory have risen sharply since October 2023, with more than 18,500 arrests recorded, including at least 1,500 children. The report says about 9,000 Palestinians remain in detention, while more than 4,000 others have allegedly been subjected to enforced disappearance.
Calls for International Action
Albanese urged Israel to immediately end all torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians and called on other countries to act to stop what she described as the destruction of what remains of Palestine. She warned that every delay causes deeper and more lasting harm.
She also called on the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The report is due to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. Although special rapporteurs are appointed by the council, they serve independently and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself.
Growing Controversy Around Francesca Albanese
Albanese has faced repeated criticism from Israel and some of its allies over her strong accusations regarding Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Reuters reported in February that several European governments, including France and Germany, had called for her resignation over remarks they said were unacceptable, while the UN defended the independence of its special rapporteurs.
Her critics have accused her of bias, while Albanese has said some attacks against her have relied on misinformation and statements taken out of context. Reuters also reported that a transcript of remarks she gave in Doha did not support claims that she had called Israel “the common enemy of humanity.”
Pressure Builds Ahead of UN Presentation
The release of the report is likely to intensify already sharp international debate over detention practices, accountability, and the broader conduct of the war. With the findings set to be discussed before the Human Rights Council, attention is expected to focus not only on the allegations themselves, but also on whether governments and international legal bodies take further action.