‘Rubber bullet use on Palestinian prisoners surges in Israel’

Tel Aviv: Israeli prison guards have repeatedly fired rubber bullets at Palestinian prisoners, causing severe injuries, with human rights organisations documenting a sharp rise in such attacks since the Gaza war began.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) have documented 22 incidents involving rubber bullets against prisoners in recent months. All but one of those targeted were Palestinians. The organisations warned that incidents once considered rare have increasingly become commonplace in Israeli prisons.

According to the groups, guards have used excessive force not only during emergencies or escape attempts, but also during routine protests and, in some cases, without any apparent provocation. Prisoners have sustained gunshot wounds to their abdomens, knees, legs and hips, while some were allegedly denied urgent medical treatment.

In a particularly severe incident in June, a 45-year-old prisoner reportedly suffered such devastating injuries after being shot at close range with rubber bullets that surgeons had to remove one of his testicles.

A Palestinian prisoner released after spending months in Israeli detention described guards storming prison cells at midnight and opening fire without provocation. He also reported severe burns and infections resulting from the attacks.

In response to a letter sent by human rights organisations in August, the Israel Prison Service maintained that rubber bullets were being used in accordance with the law. Rights groups have challenged the practice and called for an immediate end to what they describe as unlawful and brutal treatment of detainees.

More than 9,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, raising further concerns about their safety, access to medical care and treatment in custody.