Ramallah: Thousands of Palestinian detainees are facing severe inhumane conditions within Israeli prisons, as outlined by the Commission of the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society. These organizations have accused Israeli authorities of engaging in systematic repression through organized torture, which they describe as part of a broader campaign of genocide and colonial erasure against the Palestinian people.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, a recent briefing highlighted that more than 9,300 detainees are being targeted by these harsh measures, which have intensified since the onset of the war. Legal visits conducted in December to various prisons and military camps have documented escalating torture and repression, especially through the actions of heavily armed special units.
The briefing emphasized that detainees are subject to systematic starvation, denial of medical care, and confiscation of basic necessities. These actions are part of ongoing attempts to degrade human dignity through constant humiliation and abuse. The documentation from December noted multiple repression incidents, affecting women and children, particularly at Damon prison where female detainees have been assaulted.
Disturbing reports from December 5 and December 14 recounted incidents where prison forces raided cells, used tear gas, and physically assaulted detainees. Female detainees faced additional suffering from extreme cold, lack of proper clothing, and denial of medical treatment, which is exacerbated for those with chronic illnesses.
In Ganot prison, several leaders of the prisoners' movement, including Ahmad Saadat, are held in solitary confinement under dire conditions. Saadat is reportedly suffering from scabies and has been denied medical treatment, reflecting a pattern of deliberate neglect and abuse reported by his lawyer.
Repression attacks have increased in severity, involving tear gas, rubber bullets, and police dogs, often executed at night or early morning. Testimonies from detainees in Gilboa and Shatta prisons mirror these experiences of violence and neglect, leading to injuries and exacerbating existing health issues.
The situation remains dire, with detainees such as Ahed Abu Ghalmi reporting a continuous cycle of organized assaults and worsening conditions, particularly during winter as cold becomes another tool of torture. The spread of scabies and severe shortages of clothing further illustrate the harsh realities faced by Palestinian detainees.