Conditions in Israel's Rakefet Prison: A Deep-Dive into Human Rights Violations

Rakefet Prison, originally closed in 1985 due to inhumane conditions, was reopened by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Initially designed to hold 15 inmates, the facility now houses approximately 100 Palestinian detainees, many of whom have been held without charge or trial since January 2024. The prison's subterranean design deprives inmates of natural light and fresh air, raising serious concerns about their mental and physical health.

Lawyers from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) reported that detainees at Rakefet endure severe mistreatment, including regular beatings, assaults by dogs, and inadequate medical care. The prison's conditions are described as oppressive, with inmates confined to windowless cells that lack ventilation. Detainees are allowed minimal outdoor time—sometimes just five minutes every other day—and are subjected to starvation-level rations. One detainee, a nurse, last saw daylight on January 21, 2024, when he was transferred to Rakefet.

The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) maintains that it operates within the law and under the supervision of official comptrollers. However, they have not provided specific information regarding the detainees' identities or conditions. Ben-Gvir has publicly stated that Rakefet is intended to detain "elite" Hamas fighters, yet the individuals currently held there do not fit this description, as they include a nurse and a teenager arrested under dubious circumstances.

Human rights advocates, including PCATI, have condemned the reopening of Rakefet, labeling it a form of institutionalized torture. Tal Steiner, PCATI's executive director, emphasized that the conditions in Rakefet "destroy body and mind," characterizing the treatment of detainees as deliberate cruelty. Critics argue that such practices not only violate international human rights standards but also jeopardize Israel's national security by fostering resentment and hostility.

BURIED ALIVE: Ben-Gvir’s Pet Project Prison Previously Shut for Being Inhumane, Now Holds Gaza Teens in Darkness at x7 capacity

While the IPS claims to operate legally, reports from PCATI and other human rights organizations highlight systemic abuses that contradict these assertions. The Israeli High Court recently ruled that the state was depriving Palestinian prisoners of adequate food, further complicating the narrative surrounding Rakefet's operations. The lack of transparency regarding the detainees' legal status and the conditions of their confinement raises significant concerns about accountability.

• “It’s very hard to remain intact when you are held in such oppressive and difficult conditions.” — Tal Steiner, PCATI Executive Director

• “You are the first person I have seen since my arrest.” — Anonymous Detainee

BURIED ALIVE: Ben-Gvir’s Pet Project Prison Previously Shut for Being Inhumane, Now Holds Gaza Teens in Darkness at x7 capacity

• “Where am I and why am I here?” — Anonymous Detainee

• “Keeping people underground without daylight destroys body and mind. It is deliberate cruelty — a form of torture.” — Tal Steiner, PCATI Executive Director

BURIED ALIVE: Ben-Gvir’s Pet Project Prison Previously Shut for Being Inhumane, Now Holds Gaza Teens in Darkness at x7 capacity

The reopening of Rakefet Prison under Itamar Ben-Gvir's directive has reignited debates over human rights in Israel, particularly concerning the treatment of Palestinian detainees. The prison's conditions, characterized by extreme isolation and abuse, raise urgent questions about the legality and morality of such practices in the context of ongoing conflict. As international scrutiny increases, the implications of these actions for both detainees and broader Israeli-Palestinian relations remain critical to monitor.

Guardian Report on the Torture of Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Prisons