Israel has been accused of stealing organs from Palestinian prisoners and corpses, according to recent allegations. In 2009, Dr. Yehuda Hiss, the head of Israel’s Abu Kabir forensic institute, admitted that human tissue was taken from Palestinian bodies and prisoners without consent during the 1990s. Although the practice was reportedly discontinued in 2000, concerns have been raised that it continues amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor recently highlighted reports of organ theft from Palestinians in Gaza, stating that vital organs, including kidneys, livers, hearts, and corneas, were missing from bodies returned from Israeli prisons. The organization claims that some prisoners were deliberately killed to facilitate the extraction of these organs.
Additionally, Israel is said to operate one of the largest skin banks in the world, established in 1986 by the IDF Medical Corps and the Ministry of Health to treat burn victims. Reports indicate that this skin bank has been supplied with skin harvested from Palestinian bodies without consent.
These allegations have raised significant human rights concerns and have drawn attention to the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. For further context on related issues, see recent developments in similar situations.
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