Ramallah, Occupied Palestine – Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons are reportedly facing increasingly dire living and health conditions, according to the Palestinian Authority’s Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.
The Commission issued a statement on Sunday, highlighting a marked deterioration in the treatment of Palestinian detainees within the Israeli penal system. This decline, they assert, represents a significant regression from already substandard conditions.
Reports indicate a number of contributing factors to the worsening situation. Overcrowding remains a chronic problem, with facilities operating far beyond their intended capacity. This leads to a strain on resources, impacting hygiene, sanitation, and access to basic necessities. Limited access to clean water and inadequate ventilation are also cited as concerns.
Furthermore, the Commission alleges that medical neglect is rampant within the prisons. Palestinian prisoners often face delays in receiving necessary medical treatment, with some cases reportedly involving the denial of specialized care. The lack of adequate medical attention exacerbates existing health problems and creates a heightened risk of new illnesses spreading within the prison population.
Restrictions on family visits continue to be a source of immense distress for Palestinian prisoners. The infrequency and limitations placed on these visits further isolate detainees from their loved ones and contribute to a sense of despair. The Commission condemned these restrictions as a violation of international humanitarian law and called for greater access to family visitation rights.
The Commission urged international human rights organizations to intervene and pressure Israel to improve the conditions of Palestinian prisoners. They emphasized the urgent need for independent monitoring of Israeli prisons to ensure compliance with international standards and to protect the rights and well-being of Palestinian detainees. The ongoing situation underscores the need for increased scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners within its penal system.
