Ketziot prison — where the Australians are currently being held — has long faced criticism from human rights groups over its conditions.

The Australians in Ketziot prison

“We have made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms.”

‘Largest and the worst’ prison

Ketziot prison is located in the Negev desert, nearly 5km from the border with Egypt. It opened in 1988 following a rise in the number of Palestinians arrested during the first Intifada or uprising. It is also known as Ktzi’ot, Ansar III, and Negev Prison.

The Ketziot prison is in the harsh Negev desert, approximately 5km from the border with Egypt. Source: Getty / Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu

Both Human Rights Watch and Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem visited Ketziot in its first few years of operation to report on the conditions of the prisoners. The investigation prompted Human Rights Watch to call Ketziot “the largest and the worst” of Israel’s prisons.

HRW and B’Tselem both reported at the time that prisoners were also subject to beatings.

The prison closed in the mid-90s after the Oslo Accords were signed, a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which dictated the release of prisoners.

‘We lived in fear and panic’

Musa ‘Aasi, a 58-year-old father of five who was held in Ketziot prison, said he shared a seven-bed cell with twelve inmates.

A cell in Ketziot prison showing the bunks detainees slept on. This image was captured in 2007 ahead of a planned release of 250 Palestinian prisoners or those held in administrative detention. Source: Getty / Uriel Sinai

“You couldn’t take a single step. The cell had a disgusting toilet that stank, with no door,” ‘Aasi said to B’Tselem.