In the shadow of the Israeli aggression in Gaza, record numbers of Palestinian detainees are filling Israeli prisons, where they face “systemic abuse” and torture, rights advocates warn, calling for international action, AFP reports.

Members of several Israeli NGOs travelled to Geneva this week to raise concerns before the United Nations about a major “crisis” inside the country’s prisons. “We are extremely, extremely concerned,” said Tal Steiner, the executive director of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI). “What we’re looking at is a crisis,” she said.

She said nine people had allegedly died behind bars since Oct 7, according to Israeli sources. And “there are almost 10,000 Palestinians in Israeli custody right now… a 200-per cent increase from any normal year”.