Arabic version: تقرير الأمم المتحدة يتهم إسرائيل بالتعذيب المنهجي للفلسطينيين
A United Nations expert has accused Israel of systematically torturing Palestinians in custody, describing the scale of abuse as indicative of collective vengeance and destructive intent. In a report released on March 21, 2026, Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, detailed the physical and psychological abuse faced by Palestinians detained since October 7, 2023. According to Al Jazeera, the report reveals that torture has been employed on an unprecedented scale as a form of punitive collective vengeance.
Albanese’s report, titled “Torture and genocide,” highlights a range of abuses, including brutal beatings, sexual violence, and starvation, which have left lasting scars on the victims and their families. She stated that the systematic use of torture has become integral to the domination and punishment of Palestinians, affecting men, women, and children alike. Albanese reported that more than 18,500 Palestinians have been arrested since October 7, 2023, with approximately 9,000 currently detained and more than 4,000 subjected to enforced disappearance.
The report condemns Israel’s detention system as a regime of systemic humiliation, coercion, and terror. Albanese called for an immediate cessation of all acts of torture and urged global leaders to intervene to prevent further destruction of Palestinian life. She also recommended that the International Criminal Court pursue arrest warrants for key Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Albanese is set to present her findings to the UN Human Rights Council, emphasizing that her report focuses solely on Israeli conduct, despite acknowledging the use of torture by other actors, including Palestinian armed groups. Her criticisms have drawn backlash from Israel and its allies, who accuse her of harboring an agenda to delegitimize the state of Israel. Albanese has faced calls for resignation from countries such as France and Germany following controversial remarks attributed to her in the past.
