Rights Groups Document 22 Close-Range Prison Shootings in Israel

Two human rights organizations, Physicians for Human Rights Israel and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, have documented 22 cases of inmates—primarily Palestinians—being shot at close range with rubber or plastic-like bullets by guards in Israeli prisons. The reports cover seven facilities, including Ofer, Ganot, Ktzi’ot, Gilboa, Megido, Nitzan, and Eshel. Documented injuries include a leg fracture requiring surgery and a 45-year-old inmate who required the removal of a crushed testicle.

The groups report a surge in these incidents since last fall, alleging that prisoners were shot during protests over medical neglect or while experiencing panic attacks. They characterize the practice as widespread, unlawful, and a form of torture and psychological abuse. The organizations have demanded that the attorney general and senior prison officials end the uncontrolled use of projectiles and disclose the regulations governing these weapons.

In response to an August letter from the groups, the Israel Prison Service's legal adviser stated there is no reason to stop using rubber bullets in measured and appropriate ways, asserting a commitment to prisoner safety. The agency did not respond to specific inquiries regarding close-range firing or individual detainee accounts. Legal rights group HaMoked reports that over 9,000 Palestinians remain imprisoned or detained following a doubling of the prison population after October 7, 2023.