Tarek Rabie Safi, a Palestinian medical and ambulance worker who had been detained in an Israeli jail, said in a video released by Reuters on Monday that he was abused and subjected to poor living conditions while in prison.

In his statements, Saifi alleged that the prisoners were subject to physical torture and did not have access to basic amenities like food, drinking water, medical treatment etc. He said, “I was held by the Israeli army in the Gaza envelop…where I stayed for four months. We were subjected to torture of our bodies and hunger…There was no decent food or drinks…my arm was broken and they did not treat me.” In response to Reuters‘ inquiries regarding these statements, the Israeli military denied keeping prisoners in such conditions.

In 2023, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International called attention to cases of “torture and degrading treatment” of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prison facilities. The exchange of prisoners between Israel and Hamas is part of an ongoing ceasefire deal that came into force on January 19. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ office issued a statement welcoming the ongoing fulfillment of the ceasefire deal in Gaza and urged both parties to remain committed to its terms and emphasizing the importance of adhering to international humanitarian and human rights law.

These allegations of torture and abuse of prisoners, if true, would go against international humanitarian law principles. Articles 20 and 26 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, to which Israel is a signatory, provide that prisoners must be given facilities like adequate food rations and potable water.

Saifi was released by Israel on Saturday along with 368 other Palestinians. His release follows that of three Israeli hostages from Gaza by Hamas.