This opinion article by Nesrine Malik argues that the reported treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons reflects a long-standing and systemic pattern rather than isolated incidents.

The piece centres on the case of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who has reportedly been held without charge under administrative detention since being arrested by Israeli forces.

According to his lawyer, Abu Safiya alleges he has suffered repeated beatings, physical abuse and deteriorating health while in custody, including after being transferred to Rakefet prison, an underground facility reopened in late 2023.

The author states that thousands of Palestinians, including children, remain in administrative detention, allowing imprisonment without formal charges or trial for renewable six-month periods.

The article also cites accounts from former detainees, reports from human rights organisations and widely circulated images that allegedly depict the humiliation and abuse of Palestinian prisoners.

It further discusses claims concerning deaths in custody, the withholding of Palestinian bodies from their families, and allegations of enforced disappearances of detainees from Gaza.

Malik argues that these practices are intended to undermine Palestinian society by targeting doctors, journalists and other community figures, while criticising what she describes as insufficient domestic opposition within Israel and limited international pressure from Western governments.

The article concludes that calls for Israeli authorities to investigate allegations of abuse are unlikely to produce meaningful accountability because, in the author's view, the reported practices represent an entrenched policy rather than isolated misconduct.The piece is presented as commentary and reflects the author's interpretation of the available evidence and political context.