Haaretz Investigation: Palestinian Prisoners in Megiddo Face Daily Torture and Starvation
New testimonies and documents reveal severe abuse inside Israeli prisons, including starvation, beatings, and medical neglect—drawing comparisons to Guantanamo. U.S. guards in Gaza aid centers also accused of deadly violence.
Watan-An explosive investigative report by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reveals that Palestinian prisoners held in Megiddo Prison are subjected to daily torture, beatings, and starvation to the point of near death.
The report, based on testimonies from recently released prisoners and sources within the prison, confirms previous Palestinian reports that Israel’s prison system has effectively turned into torture centers, with some facilities—like Sde Teiman prison in the Negev (used for Gaza detainees)—evoking comparisons to Guantanamo.
Even Israeli rights groups such as Physicians for Human Rights–Israel have previously confirmed war crimes occurring in Sde Teiman since the Gaza war began.
One case highlighted is that of “Ibrahim” (a pseudonym), a 16-year-old from Nablus, who was recently released from Megiddo. He was described as “emaciated, bruised, and covered in skin disease”, visibly damaged from beatings and long-term malnutrition. His mother said:“When my son was released, he looked like a mummy. At first, we didn’t even recognize him.”
The paper also notes Ibrahim suffered intestinal injuries and frequent fainting, likely due to physical abuse and starvation.
Medical and legal documents as well as other testimonies reveal a pattern of systematic abuse of both minors and adult Palestinian prisoners in Megiddo—located between Haifa and Jenin, inside Israeli territory.
Double Threat: Israeli and American Violence in Gaza
Haaretz also revisits its prior exposé on the mass shooting of starving civilians in Gaza waiting for food aid—an incident the Israeli army internally dubbed “Salted Fish”, a codename for what was essentially a mass killing operation.
Today, Haaretz cites a U.S. news agency investigation alleging that American guards at food distribution sites in Gaza are firing live ammunition, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinian civilians—even when no threat is posed.
The report is based on:
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Video evidence and first-hand audio testimonies
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Accounts from aid workers with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
One worker at the U.S.-backed aid company stated:“These American guards are firing heavily at innocent people in Gaza—often alongside Israeli soldiers.”
The article concludes with a chilling summary from one source:“Palestinians feel trapped between Israeli fire and American fire.”
