UN report accuses Israel of 'de facto' state policy of torture

A UN report from the Committee Against Torture accuses Israel of maintaining a "de facto" state policy of torturing Palestinian prisoners. The practice is described as organized, widespread, and having greatly intensified since the war on Gaza began in October 2023. The report highlights that Israeli legislation does not criminalize torture and permits exemptions for officials under the principle of "necessity." Separately, the UN rights office condemned the recent killing of two unarmed Palestinian men in the West Bank as an apparent "summary execution" and a potential war crime.