Prisoners’ Commission accuses Israel of turning its prisons into ‘cemeteries for the living’

The Commission for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners' Affairs today accused the Israeli occupation authorities of turning the prisons where Palestinian freedom fighters are held into 'cemeteries for the living.' It said Israel has escalated its attacks on the prisoners since October 7 amid a blackout by the prison services in order not to expose the crimes committed against prisoners. The Commission said the prison guards raid the various sections almost daily during which they assault the prisoners, severely beat them with batons and guns, spray them with toxic gas, and fire rubber-coated metal bullets at them. It said that based on what its lawyer has said following a visit to Megiddo prison, the Israeli forces in the prisons deliberately beat the detainees and then neglect their injuries, leaving them without treatment. It said the prisoners are subjected to many types of punishments, most notably not having glass on the windows, which means they have to cope with extreme cold, and a lack of blankets and foo d, adding that a large number of them sleep on the floor and are not allowed to go out to the break, while all their electrical appliances, personal belongings and clothes were taken from them. Israel is currently holding about 7,800 Palestinians in its prisons, including 166 children, 33 female prisoners, and 2,873 administrative detainees, while before October 7, the number of prisoners was 5250, including 180 children, 37 women, and 1319 administrative detainees. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA