Ramallah:Over 90 Palestinian women are currently being held in Israeli prisons, where they face systematic violations, including a recent outbreak of scabies. The prisoners' rights organizations have highlighted the deteriorating conditions due to the denial of medical treatment and basic hygiene supplies.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the outbreak of scabies among the female detainees is exacerbated by harsh detention conditions. The organizations have documented instances of physical and psychological torture, starvation, and sexual assault, including forced strip searches and threats of rape. The spread of scabies has been compounded by the lack of personal hygiene products and medical treatment, causing intense itching, pain, and other health issues among the detainees.
Human rights organizations have reported over 810 cases of Palestinian women being detained since October 7, 2023. The current detainees include two minors and 22 women held under administrative detention. The organizations have condemned the detention of women as hostages to pressure their male relatives to surrender. They have also reported threats against the detainees' family members and unsanitary conditions in prisons such as HaSharon and Damon.
The organizations have called for international intervention to hold accountable those responsible for the violations against Palestinian women detainees. They urge the global human rights community to take action to end the culture of impunity and ensure the protection and dignity of female prisoners and all Palestinian detainees.