US ‘looking into’ allegations of abuse against Palestinian detainees

WASHINGTON

The US on Monday said it is "looking into" reports of violations committed by Israel against Palestinians in a secret detention center in the Negev Desert, urging Tel Aviv to "thoroughly" investigate the allegations.

"We’ve seen those reports and we're concerned about them," State Department's deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters when asked about the CNN’s investigation into the alleged human rights violations.

Adding that the US is "looking into" these and other allegations of abuse in detention, Patel urged Israel to treat all detainees "humanely with dignity in accordance with international law."

"Israel has an obligation to thoroughly investigate credible violations of international humanitarian law," Patel stressed.

The investigative report, Strapped down, blindfolded, held in diapers: Israeli whistleblowers detail abuse of Palestinians in shadowy detention center, was published on May 11.

Palestinians detained are subjected to horrific conditions and subject to abuse, including being put in stress positions, having limbs amputated and forced to wear diapers, according to the investigation.