Israel’s top military officer has formed an advisory committee to review the conditions of imprisoned Hamas terrorists captured since October 7, according to an announcement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday.
This decision by IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Herzi Halevi follows a mid-May CNN report alleging that Hamas terrorists detained in Gaza were tortured and mistreated at three Israeli detention facilities.
Terror suspects captured in Gaza are initially held at IDF’s Sde Teiman, Anatot, and Ofer bases before being transferred to the Israel Prison Service. “However, due to the unprecedented number of detainees and the overcrowding in facilities of the Israel Prison Service, many of those apprehended have been held in IDF detention facilities for extended periods of time, beyond what was expected. Meanwhile, allegations have been raised regarding the conditions in these facilities,” the IDF stated.
Approximately 2,300 Palestinian terror suspects have been detained in Gaza since Israel commenced its ground invasion on October 27.
The five-member committee will evaluate the conditions in the detention facilities, ensuring they comply with international law, and will submit its recommendations within three weeks.
On October 7, Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and the taking of 252 hostages, both Israelis and foreigners. Out of the 125 remaining hostages, 39 are believed to be dead.
