In a disturbing development, Haaretz has reported that several Palestinians from Gaza who were held in an Israeli military detention facility have died under unclear circumstances. The alarming revelation raises concerns about the treatment and conditions of detainees in Israeli custody during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

According to Haaretz, hundreds of Palestinians from the besieged enclave have been arrested by Israeli soldiers and taken to a detention facility near Beersheba, located in the Negev desert in southern Israel. Unfortunately, a number of those held in custody have since passed away, while Israeli authorities have failed to provide any explanation regarding the circumstances of their deaths.

The Israeli military claims that those who died in the facility were "terrorists," and have launched an investigation into the incidents. However, the lack of transparency surrounding these deaths raises further questions about the treatment and welfare of the detainees.

Disturbingly, those held in custody are reportedly kept in fenced compounds with their eyes covered and hands cuffed for most of the day. Additionally, the prison compound's lights remain switched on throughout the night, causing sleep deprivation for the detainees who rest on thin mattresses on the floor.

The detainees include individuals who were arrested during Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the tragic deaths of approximately 1,200 people. Furthermore, numerous others have been detained since Israel's ground operation in the Gaza Strip in late October.

Even more concerning is the fact that women and children have also been apprehended by Israeli soldiers in Gaza and are being held in a detention facility near Jerusalem. Last week, it was reported that the Israeli army had arbitrarily detained dozens of women and girls from Gaza without disclosing their whereabouts or the charges they face.

This grim situation sheds light on the controversial "unlawful combatants law" under which Palestinians from Gaza are being held. Human rights activists and legal experts have long argued that this law allows for the arbitrary detention of civilians based on limited evidence and without a fair trial.

According to Haaretz, only a small percentage (around 10 to 15 percent) of Palestinians detained by Israel in Gaza in recent days have any connection to Hamas. The detained individuals include academics, journalists, teachers at UN-run schools, school students, blue-collar workers, and employees of the Palestinian Authority.

Since October 7, the Israeli military has reportedly killed nearly 19,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children. These alarming figures emphasize the urgent need for an immediate resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and for a transparent inquiry into the treatment and deaths of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody.

As the international community keeps a watchful eye on the situation, it is crucial that human rights organizations and advocates continue to press for accountability and justice for all parties involved.