Three doctors and one paramedic have died while in Israeli detention, Physicians for Human Rights says in a new report, adding that nearly 150 medical workers from Gaza remain behind bars while subjected to torture and other degrading treatments, Al Jazeera reports.

“They are detained because they are Palestinians, because they are from Gaza, but also and importantly because they are healthcare workers,” the Israel-based group said. “Detainees endure physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as starvation and medical neglect amounting to torture.”

Medical workers “were plainly informed that they were held simply for the purpose of gathering information without being charged with any offence”, it added.

The organisation interviewed 24 medical workers arrested by Israel who all reported “experiencing extreme violence, humiliation, and being stripped of their clothing, including on hospital grounds”. Twenty of them were arrested while on duty.

The group said medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law and their arrests constitute violations of its provisions.