Palestinian Prisoners Report Abuse, Neglect, and Harsh Conditions in Israeli Jails

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are facing deteriorating health conditions, medical neglect, and ongoing abuse, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs. The commission detailed the cases of several detainees, highlighting severe mistreatment and inadequate medical care.

One such case is 60-year-old Maher Rizk Al-Na'asan from Al-Mughayyir village, arrested on July 6. He was reportedly beaten severely during his arrest, held under the sun for hours, and subjected to cigarette burns. His vehicle, personal documents, and land ownership papers were confiscated. Al-Na'asan suffers from chronic conditions, including a herniated disc requiring surgery, an inflamed joint, and colon problems, which have worsened due to detention conditions and alleged medical neglect. He is currently serving a four-month administrative detention sentence.

Another detainee, 23-year-old Rafiq Ra'ed Rafiq Qabaj from Al-Bireh, suffers from a rapid heartbeat and scabies, which the commission attributes to poor hygiene in his section. Qabaj, a pharmacy student, was arrested on February 12, 2026, and is also under a four-month administrative detention order.

Further accounts from detainee Ali Abdel Eid Barghouthi from Beit Rima, arrested on December 15, 2025, describe prisoners struggling with basic hygiene due to a lack of clean clothes and washing facilities, contributing to the spread of skin diseases. Barghouthi also reported frequent repression, including room searches, confiscation of belongings, and the prevention of group prayers.

The Commission has called for urgent intervention to provide necessary medical care, stop the abuse and neglect, and improve living conditions in line with international standards.