Palestinian prisoners at Ofer Prison experiencing starvation, medical neglect, deprivation of basic rights

RAMALLAH: The crackdown on Palestinian detainees at the Israeli occupation's Ofer Prison has reached a crisis point, with reports of severe mistreatment, including systematic starvation, since October 7, 2023, according to a lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Authority. The lawyer, who recently visited Ofer Prison, southwest of Ramallah, reported seven suicide attempts by detainees due to the dire conditions, brutal treatment by guards, and the use of hunger and medical neglect as forms of collective punishment. The detainees are subjected to beatings during arrest and in prison, especially if they are late for roll call or fail to wake up at the designated time (4 a.m.) each day. One detainee suffered severe burns while taking a shower with excessively hot water, a situation resulting from the prison administration's control over water temperature. This detainee has not received medical treatment for the burns. Additionally, Amr Abu Khalil, a cancer patient, was assaulted while being transferre d for chemotherapy treatment, only to later be informed that his treatment session had been canceled. Another detainee, Bashir Zaghloul Khatib from Birzeit, has been subjected to severe beatings during his arrest and has lost over 12 kilograms since his detention on February 18, 2023. The lawyer also highlighted the severe overcrowding in the prison, with at least 11 detainees confined to each cell. Five of them must sleep on the floor while the others share metal bunk beds. They lack basic necessities, including adequate clothing, blankets, and food. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA