Bethlehem: The Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) has accused Israeli prison authorities of deliberately attempting to kill Palestinian detainee Ghassan Ibrahim Zwahra, from the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem. The PPS claims that the incident involved the prison administration's repression units, targeting Zwahra with rubber-coated bullets inside the Negev Prison.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, the PPS revealed that Zwahra was transferred from Ramon Prison to Negev Prison on June 8th, where he faced humiliating strip searches and brutal beatings by repression forces. The situation escalated on June 17th when the Metzada unit allegedly fired rubber-coated bullets at him, hitting him in the thigh and causing severe injuries.
Zwahra's testimony details that he was shot directly by prison guards for the third time, resulting in heavy bleeding. Despite attempting to walk, he collapsed due to his injuries and was subsequently transferred to Soroka Hospital, where he underwent surgery before being returned to prison. During his transfer, Zwahra claimed he was assaulted with batons.
The PPS emphasized that Zwahra's testimony only partially reflects his ordeal, with other details remaining undisclosed. The organization insists that the actions by the prison guards amounted to a deliberate attempt on Zwahra's life, as he was repeatedly targeted with rubber-coated bullets after his transfer to Nafha Prison.
Zwahra, who has spent a total of 17 years in Israeli prisons, was re-detained in February 2025 under administrative detention. He is a former prisoner, a father of four, and the brother of the slain Palestinian Mu'taz Zuwahra. Over the years, he and his family have faced harassment, frequent raids, and he has endured repeated torture and ill-treatment during his imprisonment.