Palestinian Prisoners Die in Israeli Custody, Raising Concerns Over Treatment

The deaths of several Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons since October 2022 have raised serious questions about the circumstances and environment they face while in custody. According to the Palestinian Authority's Commission on Prisoners Affairs, at least 13 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli prisons during this period, with most deaths attributed to beatings or denial of medication.

One of the victims, Abdulrahman Mari, a carpenter from the West Bank, was arrested in February 2022 and allegedly beaten severely by guards, leading to his death. Another prisoner, Arafat Hamdani, who had type 1 diabetes, was found dead in his cell in Ofer prison, with no explanation provided by Israeli authorities.

Prisoners who were recently freed showed signs of severe mistreatment, including damaged skin, unkempt appearance, and significant weight loss. Rights groups have documented widespread abuse, such as beatings, medical neglect, and forcing prisoners to act like animals. Omar Assaf, a prisoner who suffered a head injury and weight loss due to lack of medical care, and Mujahid Amarneh, who was beaten severely and is now unable to move or speak properly, are among the cases highlighting the dire situation.

Raghad Al Fanni, a 25-year-old Palestinian woman recently released from Damoun prison as part of an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, described the harsh conditions, including oppression, isolation, beatings, deprivation of food and clean water, and collective punishment against the prisoners. Qaddoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners and Ex-Detainees Authority, characterized the situation in Israeli detention centers as "war crimes" and "collective punishment."

Why this matters: The deaths and reported mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody raise serious human rights concerns and underscore the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine. The situation has the potential to further strain relations and hinder efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Israel currently holds more than 9,000 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, and their circumstances have deteriorated since the Gaza conflict in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. The Israeli government has been accused of a "complete blackout" on the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, with reports of incidents such as a prisoner having his eye burned by a cigarette during a visit by a far-right Israeli minister. The Israeli prison service has denied any mistreatment, stating that all prisoners are held in accordance with the law and under the supervision of professional and skilled prison staff.

Key Takeaways

• At least 13 Palestinian prisoners died in Israeli prisons since Oct 2022, often due to beatings or denial of medication.
• Freed prisoners showed signs of severe mistreatment, including damaged skin, weight loss, and inability to move or speak.
• Rights groups documented widespread abuse, such as beatings, medical neglect, and forcing prisoners to act like animals.
• Israel holds over 9,000 Palestinian prisoners, and their circumstances have deteriorated since the 2023 Gaza conflict.
• Israel denies mistreatment, but rights groups and Palestinian authorities characterize the situation as "war crimes" and "collective punishment".