Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Israel Accused of Secret Underground Jail for Palestinians Without Trial
Imagine Israel is accused of keeping some people from Gaza in a very secret underground prison.
This place is called Rakefet.
People inside are not allowed to see the sun or talk to their families.
They are kept in small rooms with only fake lights on all the time.
Some of these people haven't been told why they are there or put on trial, and they have been there for a long time.
A group that helps people with torture is worried about this.
They say it's like a hidden jail where soldiers, not regular prison guards, are in charge.
Other countries like the UN and EU are asking to see these prisons.
While Israel says it needs to be safe, human rights groups worry this is not fair and might be against the rules that protect people during wartime.
This whole situation adds more worry to the ongoing conflict.
Dozens of Palestinians from Gaza are reportedly held in a secret underground detention facility in Israel called Rakefet prison.
Detainees are allegedly kept in windowless cells with no daylight, constant artificial light, and limited ventilation, in isolation.
Human rights lawyers and former detainees report that individuals are held for months without charge or trial, with some under administrative detention.
The facility is reportedly managed by the military under emergency regulations, outside the oversight of the Israel Prison Service.
International bodies like the EU and UN have called for inspections of all detention sites amid concerns over potential violations of international law.
- Who
- Dozens of Palestinians from Gaza, including a nurse and a food vendor
- What
- Allegedly held in a secret underground detention facility (Rakefet prison) without daylight, access to lawyers, family contact, or trial.
- When
- Currently being held; some for months, since the Gaza war began last year.
- Where
- An isolated underground detention facility in Israel, reportedly managed by the military.
- Why
- Cited reasons include Hamas fighters embedding in civilian areas necessitating strict interrogation and isolation protocols, under emergency regulations. Critics argue it's a broader trend of expanding detention powers and secrecy.
Rights Groups and Critics
Israeli Officials
Conditions of Detention
Rights Groups and Critics
Palestinians are held in windowless cells with limited ventilation, constant artificial light, deprived of daylight, and possibly inhumane conditions, violating international law.
Israeli Officials
All detentions are conducted in accordance with law and security protocols, though specific comments on Rakefet are not provided.
Legal Basis for Detention
Rights Groups and Critics
Detainees are held for months without charge or trial, often under administrative detention, raising concerns about arbitrary imprisonment and lack of oversight.
Israeli Officials
Detentions are lawful and adhere to security protocols, though the specifics of underground facilities managed under emergency regulations remain unclear.
Transparency and Oversight
Rights Groups and Critics
The existence of secret underground facilities like Rakefet, managed by the military outside the Prison Service, undermines rule of law and democratic accountability.
Israeli Officials
While not commenting on specific facilities, officials maintain detentions are lawful. The broader justification is national security necessitated by Hamas tactics.
- Alleged Facility Name
- Rakefet prison
- Detainee Population
- Dozens of Palestinians from Gaza
- Detention Conditions
- Underground, windowless cells, limited ventilation, constant artificial light, no daylight, isolation
- Legal Status
- Held for months without charge or trial; some under administrative detention
- Oversight
- Reportedly managed by the military under emergency regulations, outside Israel Prison Service oversight
- Advocacy Group
- Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)
- International Concern
- EU and UN call for inspection of detention sites
