RAMALLAH: Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip have led to a staggering surge in the number of Palestinian prisoners, with over 10,000 individuals now in Israeli custody, Palestinian officials reported.
In just two weeks since the onset of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, approximately 4,000 laborers from Gaza working in Israel have been detained, along with 1,070 others in overnight army raids in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Sahar Francis, head of the Ramallah-based Addameer prisoners’ rights group, revealed that arrests are taking place continuously, 24 hours a day. Most detainees from Gaza are being held at the Sde Teyman military base near Beer al-Sabe (Be’er Sheva) in the southern Naqab desert. Hundreds of others are being detained in Ofer prison near Ramallah and the Anatot military camp near the village of Anata in occupied East Jerusalem.
Dire Conditions of Palestinian Prisoners
Palestinian lawyers and officials have raised serious concerns about the harsh mistreatment and dire conditions faced by detainees. At a recent press conference in Ramallah, Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Detainees’ Affairs, described the recent developments as “unprecedented” and “dangerous”.
He revealed alarming instances of abuse, including starvation, lack of access to medicine, and denial of medical care. According to Fares, prisoners are being subjected to physical attacks, leading to severe injuries such as broken limbs and hands.
The situation inside Israeli prisons has worsened significantly, with detainees being prevented from accessing water, electricity, and medical treatment. Addameer reported the closure of prison clinics and the prevention of prisoners, including cancer patients, from receiving essential medical care.
Human rights advocates and international organizations have condemned the mistreatment and abuse of Palestinian prisoners, calling for urgent intervention to ensure their safety and well-being. The alarming reports of abuse come amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, raising concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.
