Palestinian Journalist Sami al-Sai Details Rape, Dog Attacks, and Systematic Torture in Israeli Prisons

In a recent Middle East Eye exclusive interview, Palestinian journalist Sami al-Sai described in harrowing detail the systematic sexual violence, beatings, prolonged denial of medical treatment, and torture he endured during approximately 16 months of detention across multiple Israeli prison facilities. His testimony, delivered at a hearing organized by the Mada Center for Media Freedoms in Ramallah, adds to the growing body of evidence documenting the abuse of Palestinian journalists in Israeli custody and underscores the urgent need for international accountability.

Palestinian Journalist Sami al-Sai Details Rape, Dog Attacks, and Systematic Torture in Israeli Prisons

Ramallah, Occupied West Bank – July 2026 —

The Arrest and Detention of Sami al-Sai

On February 23, 2024, Israeli forces detained Sami al-Sai in Tulkarm during a military raid that swept through the city in the early morning hours. The operation targeted several homes and media offices, reflecting a coordinated effort to disrupt local reporting networks amid heightened tensions in the northern West Bank. Al-Sai, known for his contributions to independent outlets covering daily life under occupation, was taken without immediate charges or access to legal representation at the scene.

Following the initial seizure, al-Sai endured 19 days of military custody in undisclosed locations where interrogators subjected him to prolonged isolation and physical pressure. These early phases of detention often involve sleep deprivation and restricted movement, tactics designed to extract information or confessions from detainees. Transfer to Megiddo Prison occurred after this period, marking the beginning of extended exposure to prison conditions that human rights monitors have repeatedly criticized for lacking basic safeguards.

Family members and colleagues in Tulkarm reported limited communication during those initial weeks, heightening anxiety over his well-being. The administrative processes surrounding such arrests frequently bypass standard judicial oversight, leaving journalists like al-Sai in limbo without clear timelines for release or trial. This phase set the foundation for the more severe abuses that followed in subsequent facilities.

Details from al-Sai's later accounts describe how the transfer to Megiddo involved further disorientation through repeated movements between sites. Such practices disrupt any sense of stability and compound psychological strain on those already separated from support networks. The 19-day military custody period remains a focal point for advocates seeking accountability in these cases.

Systematic Sexual Violence at Megiddo Prison

Upon arrival at Megiddo Prison, Sami al-Sai encountered conditions that quickly escalated into direct physical and sexual violence perpetrated by guards. One documented incident involved the use of a baton in an assault that caused severe internal injuries, leaving him bleeding for 22 consecutive days without adequate medical intervention. These acts occurred within a facility already under scrutiny for patterns of mistreatment toward Palestinian detainees.

Al-Sai was later moved to Sde Teiman, where a trained dog was unleashed on him as part of the abuse regimen, adding another layer of terror to his confinement. Multiple facilities across the system appear to have coordinated in his case, suggesting a structured approach rather than isolated incidents. The cumulative effect left lasting physical and emotional scars that continue to affect his ability to work.

Accounts from other detainees indicate that such violence is not random but follows established routines within the prison administration. Guards reportedly operated with impunity, knowing that complaints rarely lead to internal repercussions. The 22 days of bleeding highlight the deliberate withholding of care, turning medical neglect into an extension of punishment.

Transfer between Megiddo and Sde Teiman exposed al-Sai to varying intensities of abuse, each site contributing distinct forms of degradation. This rotation through facilities prevents detainees from forming any stable environment and reinforces the message that resistance or reporting carries severe consequences. Human rights documentation emphasizes how these methods target journalists specifically to deter coverage of prison conditions themselves.

The Mada Center Hearing and Public Testimony

The Mada Center organized a public hearing in Ramallah where Sami al-Sai delivered his testimony before journalists, activists, and legal observers. During the session, he described how the guards "were enjoying it a lot" while carrying out the assaults, a phrase that captured the sadistic element observers noted in his delivery. The event provided a rare platform for direct survivor accounts to reach wider audiences beyond prison walls.

Attendees at the Ramallah hearing included representatives from local media unions who recorded the proceedings for archival purposes. Al-Sai's willingness to speak openly despite ongoing risks demonstrated remarkable courage in the face of potential retaliation. The testimony detailed not only the physical acts but also the verbal taunts that accompanied them, painting a complete picture of dehumanization.

Following the hearing, organizers compiled the statements into reports distributed to international bodies monitoring detention practices. The phrase about guards enjoying the violence resonated widely, becoming a reference point in discussions about accountability. Al-Sai emphasized that his experience reflected patterns affecting many others held without charge.

The Ramallah event also featured supporting statements from medical professionals who examined al-Sai after his release, corroborating the timeline of injuries. This combination of personal narrative and clinical evidence strengthened calls for independent investigations. Public testimony sessions like this one serve as vital spaces for reclaiming agency in the aftermath of trauma.

The CPJ Report and Broader Pattern

The February 2026 CPJ report documented interviews with 59 journalists who described similar experiences of beatings, starvation, and in some cases rape while in Israeli custody. Sami al-Sai's case appears as one of several highlighted examples illustrating the scale of the problem across different prisons. The report compiles data showing that media workers face disproportionate targeting during operations in the West Bank.

Findings from the CPJ investigation reveal consistent use of administrative measures to hold journalists for extended periods without formal charges. Starvation tactics mentioned in multiple accounts involved restricted food portions and contaminated water supplies, weakening detainees physically over time. The 59 interviews provide a statistical foundation for understanding how widespread these violations have become.

Al-Sai's inclusion in the report connects his individual ordeal to a documented pattern affecting contributors to various Palestinian outlets. The CPJ researchers noted difficulties in accessing prison records, which limited full verification but did not diminish the credibility of survivor testimonies. Broader patterns include coordinated raids on media offices timed with journalist detentions.

Recommendations in the February 2026 document urge greater international monitoring of facilities like Megiddo and Sde Teiman. The report stresses that without transparency, abuses will continue unchecked, endangering the flow of information from the region. Al-Sai's story exemplifies the human element behind these aggregated findings.

Israel's Rejection and Administrative Detention

Israeli prison service and IDF spokespersons have consistently rejected allegations of systematic abuse in cases like that of Sami al-Sai, attributing complaints to efforts to discredit security operations. Official statements emphasize that all detentions follow legal protocols under military law applicable in the West Bank. These rejections rarely include detailed responses to specific claims of sexual violence or medical neglect.

The administrative detention system allows authorities to hold individuals, including journalists, for renewable periods without charge or trial, a practice applied to thousands of Palestinians at any given time. In al-Sai's situation, this framework facilitated prolonged isolation across facilities while shielding interrogators from immediate scrutiny. Critics argue that the system inherently enables violations by removing judicial oversight.

Legal challenges to administrative orders often face delays or limited success in military courts. Families of detainees report that access to independent doctors remains restricted, complicating efforts to document injuries such as those sustained over 22 days. The rejection of external investigations perpetuates a cycle where accountability remains elusive.

Thousands held without charge under this system include not only journalists but also community leaders and activists, creating a chilling effect on public discourse. Al-Sai's transfer between Megiddo and Sde Teiman occurred within this administrative framework, which authorities defend as necessary for security. International observers continue to call for reforms that would align practices with due process standards.

Impact on Palestinian Journalism and Media

West Bank journalists have faced intensified targeting since early 2024, with raids on offices of outlets like Al Jazeera and Al-Fajr TV contributors resulting in equipment seizures and staff detentions. Sami al-Sai's case exemplifies how such actions disrupt coverage of local events and force remaining reporters into self-censorship. The intimidation extends beyond individuals to entire newsrooms wary of similar fates.

Contributors to these networks report increased surveillance and threats that hinder their ability to document daily realities in places like Tulkarm. The loss of experienced voices like al-Sai's during his detention period created gaps in reporting that affected public understanding of unfolding developments. Media organizations have responded by strengthening support networks for affected colleagues.

Intimidation tactics include not only physical abuse but also the threat of repeated administrative detention, which discourages investigative work on sensitive topics. Al-Fajr TV and similar local stations have seen multiple staff members impacted, leading to reduced output and reliance on freelance contributors operating under greater risk. This environment undermines the diversity of perspectives available to audiences.

Longer-term effects include trauma among surviving journalists who hesitate to pursue stories involving prisons or military operations. The cumulative impact threatens the sustainability of independent Palestinian media at a time when accurate information remains crucial. Al-Sai's public testimony has inspired some colleagues to continue despite the dangers, highlighting resilience within the profession.

Analysis and Implications

Under international human rights law, the documented treatment of Sami al-Sai violates prohibitions against torture and cruel treatment, including sexual violence as a method of punishment. The involvement of multiple facilities and the 22 days of untreated bleeding point to deliberate policies rather than rogue actions by individuals. Press freedom organizations emphasize that protecting journalists requires addressing these systemic issues at their root.

International responses have included calls from UN experts for independent inquiries into prison conditions, though enforcement remains limited by political dynamics. The February 2026 CPJ findings add weight to these appeals by providing aggregated evidence from 59 cases. What this means for press freedom in Palestine and Israel is a further erosion of trust in institutions meant to uphold accountability.

The administrative detention framework, applied to thousands without charge, creates an environment where abuses can occur with minimal external visibility. Al-Sai's experience at Megiddo and Sde Teiman illustrates how this system intersects with efforts to control narratives emerging from the West Bank. Sustained advocacy is necessary to translate testimonies into meaningful policy changes.

Ultimately, the story shared in the Middle East Eye video and expanded here demands ongoing attention to the intersection of human rights and journalism. Compassionate engagement with survivor accounts can foster greater awareness and support for reforms that safeguard those who document injustice. The implications extend beyond one case to the health of information ecosystems in conflict zones worldwide.

By Fatima Al-Rashid, Staff Writer