The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) in London has expressed deep concern over Israel’s extensive use of torture against detainees in the Gaza Strip, among them UN staff members and their relatives, since the beginning of the war.

In its statement under Item 7 discussion session, PRC referred to reports of torture, including the dehumanizing act of stripping detainees of their clothes, heavy beating, sexual abuse, and denial of access to food and water, which represent a gross violation of international law.

“Such acts not only inflict physical and psychological harm but also serve to debase the inherent dignity of civilians,” said PRC. “In most instances, the released detainees are extremely disoriented, hungry, physically exhausted, sometimes with visible blood stains, and exhibit visible signs of physical and mental trauma.”

The Centre called for independent investigations to be conducted to hold those responsible for such violations to account, saying steps must also be taken to ensure detainees in Gaza are afforded their full rights under international law, including access to legal representation and fair trials and stop all forms of forced disappearances.