Men Allege Sexual Assault in Israeli Custody, Echoing Wider Claims

Two Palestinian men have told the BBC they were sexually assaulted while detained in Israeli prisons. Their accounts match patterns of alleged abuse in recent reports about Israel's treatment of prisoners. The men described specific acts of sexual violence and humiliation by Israeli guards. They say the incidents occurred during their detention. Israel strongly denies these allegations. A government statement called such claims "completely false and without any foundation." It said Israel operates "in strict adherence to international law." These personal testimonies follow a United Nations report last month. That report cited allegations of sexual violence, torture, and cruel treatment against Palestinians in Israeli detention. Israel rejected the UN findings, calling the report biased. The two men are now free and speaking publicly. They say they hope their stories will pressure Israel to change its practices.