Palestinian journalists released from Israeli prisons report systematic abuse, including torture, starvation, and sexual violence, according to a new report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on February 19, 2026.
The report, titled ‘We returned from hell’: Palestinian journalists recount torture in Israeli prisons, details allegations from 59 journalists interviewed after their release between October 2023 and January 2026. All but one of those interviewed reported experiencing torture, abuse, or other forms of violence while in Israeli custody. The findings are supported by evidence including photographs, medical reports, and legal documents reviewed by CPJ.
Journalists detailed beatings resulting in severe injuries, prolonged periods of starvation, and deliberate medical neglect. Some testimonies included accounts of sexual violence, including rape, according to the report. Detainees likewise described psychological abuse, including prolonged exposure to high-volume sound.
“The scale and consistency of these testimonies point to something far beyond isolated misconduct,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg in a statement. “When dozens of journalists independently describe physical and psychological abuse, the international community must take action. Humanitarian law sets unequivocal standards for the treatment of detainees and there needs to be meaningful accountability for failure to meet these standards.”
The majority of the journalists arrested – 48 in total – were not formally charged with any crime, according to the CPJ report. Instead, they were held under administrative detention, a practice allowing Israel to imprison Palestinians without trial or due process, sometimes for periods exceeding two years. As of February 2026, the Israeli NGO Hamoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, reported 3,358 Palestinians were held in administrative detention, with 3,308 awaiting trial and 1,249 classified as “illegal combatants.”
The arrests occurred primarily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with 60 journalists detained from the West Bank and 33 from Gaza. At least 94 Palestinian journalists and one media worker were arrested by Israeli authorities during the period examined by the CPJ.
A separate report by Deutsche Welle (DW) noted that many prisoners allege abuse took place at the Sde Teiman military prison in Israel’s Negev desert. DW reported that Israel has repeatedly denied reports of mistreatment.
According to the CPJ report, over 200 journalists were killed during Israel’s two-year war in Gaza as of August 2025.
The CPJ is calling for international accountability and independent investigations into the alleged violations of humanitarian law. The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment on the specific allegations detailed in the CPJ report.
