Death Toll of Palestinian Detainees in Israeli Prisons Reaches 86, Rights Groups Report

A total of 86 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli detention since October of last year, according to figures from Palestinian rights groups. The groups, which include the Commission of Detainees' Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society, released the statistic this week. They stated the deaths occurred between October 7, 2023, and early September 2024. The report alleges that some deaths resulted from what it calls "systematic crimes" against detainees. It claims these include physical abuse, medical neglect, and poor conditions. Israeli authorities have not yet commented on this specific tally. In the past, Israel has stated it operates in accordance with international law and that all detainees receive necessary medical care. The number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons has risen sharply since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October.