Hind Rajab Foundation seeks probe into Sde Teiman detainee abuse

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israeli health and defense officials, the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) and medical staff regarding the alleged deaths, torture and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees at the Sde Teiman detention facility since October 7, 2023.

In its Article 15 communication, the HRF claims the actions of the accused constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide under the Rome Statute. The foundation specifically names former health ministers Moshe Arbel and Uriel Buso, IMA president Zion Hagay, and the IMA itself. The HRF's filing coincides with the World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly in Rotterdam, which took place from October 7 to 10.

The group alleges that a Health Ministry directive from December 19, 2023, mandated staff to treat detainees while handcuffed and blindfolded, prevented detainees from identifying themselves by name, and authorized forced treatment without appropriate safeguards. The HRF asserts that at least 29 detainees have died at the facility by November 2025.

Additionally, the foundation accuses the IMA of providing "institutional cover" for the abuses, citing an April 2024 letter from IMA leaders in The American Journal of Bioethics stating that detainees were receiving "appropriate medical care." The IMA allegedly opened no disciplinary proceedings. HRF Director General Dyab Abou Jahjah questioned the World Medical Association (WMA) for still welcoming an association that provided institutional cover for torture.