Investigation Reveals Harsh Detention Conditions Inside Rakevet Secret Prison in Israel
Investigation Uncovers Severe Abuses Inside Rakevet Secret Prison in Israel
A new investigation by The Guardian has revealed that dozens of Palestinians from Gaza are being held in the Rakevet secret prison in Israel, deprived of adequate food, sunlight, and communication with their families.
The report states that the underground prison is operated by the Israel Prison Service and keeps detainees completely isolated from the outside world.
Rakevet Secret Prison in Israel Reopened After Decades
According to The Guardian, the Rakevet secret prison in Israel is located beneath a detention compound named after “cyclamen flower” in Hebrew.
Originally shut down in 1985, it was reopened following the events of October 7, 2023, by order of Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The facility was originally designed to hold just 15 high-risk detainees but currently houses an estimated 100 Palestinians—mostly from Gaza—far exceeding its intended capacity.
Underground Cells With No Sunlight or Fresh Air
Facilities inside the Rakevet secret prison in Israel include single cells, a small courtyard, and a lawyer-meeting room—all completely underground.
This setup means detainees have been deprived of sunlight and fresh air for months, in what legal advocates call highly oppressive conditions.
Testimonies of Torture and Ill-Treatment
Lawyers with the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) report that the conditions at the Rakevet secret prison in Israel violate international humanitarian law and amount to torture.
Detainees—among them a nurse and a food vendor—reported repeated beatings, physical abuse, denial of medical care, and deliberate dog attacks.
Some prisoners also described guards stepping on them and forcing multiple detainees into small, windowless cells with little ventilation.
These conditions have led to widespread suffocation, difficulty breathing, and constant psychological stress.
Severe Psychological and Physical Consequences
Mental health expert Dr. Steiner warned that prolonged confinement without exposure to sunlight can have “devastating consequences” on mental well-being, potentially causing loss of cognitive coherence.
Physically, detainees reported disrupted sleep cycles, weakened immune systems, vitamin-D deficiency, and ongoing respiratory problems due to poor ventilation.
Detentions Continue Beyond Wartime Framework
Despite official claims that military operations have ended, PCATI says thousands of Palestinians remain detained under wartime conditions considered illegal and degrading.
Many detainees are reportedly held without formal charges or trial, amounting to arbitrary detention.
Lack of Transparency From Israeli Officials
The Israel Prison Service declined to comment on the details of detainee numbers, identities, or legal procedures inside the Rakevet secret prison in Israel.
No criteria were provided for how detainees are selected or how long they are kept inside the facility.
The investigation suggests the prison’s practices are not isolated violations but part of a broader systematic pattern of mistreatment targeting detainees from Gaza.
Intelligence Warning of Future Repercussions
Israeli internal intelligence services have reportedly warned that the harsh treatment of detainees could deepen resentment, escalate cycles of violence, and jeopardize efforts for long-term stability or peace.
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