A recent investigation by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz has revealed that thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been subjected to starvation, beatings, and poor medical care. The investigation, based on testimonies from five Palestinian prisoners released over the past 18 months, exposed a pattern of abuse and mistreatment in several Israeli prisons, including Majdo, Neve Tirza, Ketziot, Ofer, and Damon.
The prisoners reported losing between 15 and 50 percent of their body weight during detention, and described physical assaults, collective punishments, and humiliation. They also spoke of suffering from poor sanitation, leading to the spread of diseases such as scabies, and delays in receiving medical treatment. The prisoners' testimonies suggest that the conditions for detainees from the Gaza Strip may be even more severe.
Among those who shared their experiences with Ha'aretz was Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi, 59, who lost nearly half his body weight during a year of administrative detention without charge. He described physical abuse and neglect while in prison, and reported ongoing health problems after his release. Israeli authorities had suspected him of funneling money to the Islamic Jihad movement, which he denied.
Another journalist, Samer Khawira, recounted witnessing prisoners suffering from malnutrition and scabies, making it difficult for them to move. He himself fell ill during detention and was released without charge or trial. The investigation also included testimony from Heba Al-Alawi, a Palestinian mother of five, who was arrested while trying to enter Israel to work without a permit. She reported being beaten, losing 36 kilograms in weight, and facing difficulties accessing medication and dealing with the spread of scabies.
The investigation also featured the story of Rabi' Abu Naim, a human rights activist who claimed to have been beaten and subjected to electric shocks during detention. He reported inadequate food and poor conditions at the Ofer military detention center. According to Ha'aretz, a military judge approved his release, acknowledging that his activities were non-violent, but he remained detained for nine months.
The number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is substantial, with 9,329 classified as "security prisoners" in September, according to the Israel Prison Service. However, only 16 percent of these prisoners had been convicted in court, while the rest were either under arrest, held administratively, or classified as "unlawful combatants." The investigation highlighted cases of prisoners released without charge or conviction.
The Israeli Supreme Court had previously ruled on improving food and allowing visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross, but the investigation found that these decisions had not led to significant changes in detention conditions. The case has sparked renewed criticism of Israel's detention policies, particularly under the oversight of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Key points
- Thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails face severe mistreatment, including starvation, beatings, and poor medical care.
- The investigation revealed that many prisoners were detained without charge or trial, and that conditions for those from the Gaza Strip may be even more severe.
- The Israeli Supreme Court's previous rulings on detention conditions have not led to significant improvements, according to the investigation.
