Gaza health officials say that at least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians returned by Israel originated from the Sde Teiman detention complex, bearing signs of torture, execution and treatment in custody.
At least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians, returned by Israel to Gaza, were held in a notorious detention facility known as Sde Teiman, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Gaza officials say each body bag included a document in Hebrew identifying Sde Teiman and some indicating DNA testing had been done there.
Health ministry director general Dr Munir al-Bursh and a spokesperson for Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said official examinations “clearly indicate that Israel carried out acts of murder, summary executions and systematic torture against many of the Palestinians.” Witnesses, photographs, and testimonies examined by the Guardian show victims blindfolded, hands tied, some crushed by tank tracks or shot at point-blank range.
One identified body, that of Mahmoud Ismail Shabat, bore marks of hanging, tied hands, and limb injuries; his brother said: “What hurt us the most was that his hands were tied, and his body was covered with clear signs of torture.” Some whistleblowers claim detainees were stripped naked, handcuffed to beds, and treated with sexual and physical abuse, while some endured amputations.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces say they have asked the Israel Prison Service to investigate and that allegations of misconduct are examined on a case-by-case basis. Human rights groups, including Physicians for Human Rights Israel, argue that the scale and nature of the findings demand “an independent international investigation” to hold those responsible to account.