Deaths in military or IPS custody

PHRI documented at least 103 deaths of Palestinian security detainees and prisoners in IPS prisons (52% of the cases), military detention facilities, or during transport to these facilities by the military, between October 7, 2023 and March 2026. This number represents nine additional deaths in custody since the publication of the previous State of the Occupation report, which covered information up to October 2025. While some of these nine victims died in recent months, others died earlier, but the authorities did not disclose their passing. One of the deceased is a medical worker who was arrested in Gaza in December 2024 and died in Ketziot Prison on February 13, 2026. The fate of hundreds more Palestinian residents of Gaza who were held in military custody is unknown, raising concerns that the number of deaths is even higher. It should be noted that the identities of some of those who died in military custody are not known.

Information about deaths in custody is not made public, nor shared with families. In some cases, post-mortem examinations are withheld or conducted without a family-appointed physician present.

Cases that could be examined revealed that deaths resulted from a range or combination of causes: harsh incarceration conditions, including severe food deprivation; pre-existing medical conditions that were not properly addressed during incarceration; untreated injuries; or violence inflicted while in custody.

As far as is known, as of May 2026 not a single soldier or prison guard has been prosecuted in connection with deaths in custody.

Further reading:

Physicians for Human Rights Israel: Deaths of Palestinians in Israeli Custody: Enforced disappearances, systemic killings and cover-ups

Haaretz: Two Years After Gaza Paramedic’s Death at Sde Teiman, Israel Has Yet to Provide Answers to His Family

Zman Yisrael: Dozens of Palestinians died in prison during the war. Only one case was transferred for investigation, February 16, 2026 (Hebrew)