Palestinian Minors in Megiddo Prison Facing Hunger, Illness, and Abuse

The Commission of Detainees’ Affairs has issued a stark warning regarding the inhumane conditions endured by child detainees in the Israel’s Megiddo Prison.
According to the Commission’s latest report, these minors are subjected to ongoing collective punishment, harsh living conditions, and gross medical neglect. Daily life is marked by poor-quality food, inadequate portions, and the total absence of basic hygiene products.

One of the detainees, Jihad Maher Hijaz (15 years old) from Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya/ Ramallah, shared his recent experience. He described how, about a month ago, he was violently assaulted by a prison guard who struck him in the chest, leaving him with severe pain and a fractured rib.

“It felt like the bone was pushed out of place from the force of the beating. I never received any medical care, and to this day I don’t know if it has healed.”

Hijaz has been in custody since February 15, 2025, without sentencing, and is awaiting a court hearing on July 7, 2025.

Another detainee, Aws Mohammad Theeb, 19, from the town of Silwad, has reportedly lost more than 30 kilograms due to severe food deprivation. He is also suffering from scabies, yet remains untreated. Theeb was detained on September 30, 2024, and is scheduled to appear in court on June 4, 2025.

Further testimony came from Ali Tareq Abdullah Thiab, 18, from Kafr Aqab, who has been imprisoned since May 5, 2024, under administrative detention, which has been renewed three times without formal charges. He described widespread hunger among detainees:

“Food is scarce and never enough. We’ve all lost significant weight. Most days we fast just to save our three small meals and eat them together in hopes of feeling even slightly full. We're not living, we're surviving.”

The Commission is calling for immediate international intervention to end the suffering of these minors and to hold the Israeli prison authorities accountable for systematic violations of children’s rights under international law.

Detainee Samia Mousa Jawaadeh

During his participation in a pro- Palestine march in Madrid

Abu Al-Hummos: “The voices of tens of thousands today are a powerful call to end the genocide against Palestinians.”

Madrid – May 9, 2025

During his participation in a massive solidarity march in the Spanish capital, Head of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, Raed Abu Al-Hummos, expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming turnout of Spanish citizens, Palestinians, Arabs, and international supporters who took to the streets in protest of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and the broader Palestinian people.

Abu Al-Hummos, currently visiting Spain with an official delegation from the Commission, described the demonstration as an inspiring and unifying scene that brought together people of diverse backgrounds, all demanding justice and an end to the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation. Banners and chants throughout the march reaffirmed the Palestinian right to freedom and independence, while condemning the Israeli leadership for its brutal actions.

“What we witnessed today in Madrid is a testament to the power of global conscience,” he said. “We hope to see similar mobilizations across European capitals, as such grassroots pressure is essential to compel governments to take meaningful action in the face of ongoing atrocities.”

He further commended the Palestinian community in Spain and the organizers for their role in making the event a success. He also thanked the Spanish government and people for their principled stance, noting that Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine is a vital step that bolsters the Palestinian people’s pursuit of justice, statehood, and freedom.

Abu Al-Hummos emphasized that the plight of Palestinian detainees was a prominent theme throughout the march, resonating strongly with participants. He called for strengthened coordination between institutions working on detainee issues, Palestinian embassies, and diaspora communities, stressing the importance of clear and unified strategies to advance the national cause on the international stage.

Three detainees suffer from critical health condition at Gilboa Prison

May 26, 2025

The Commission of Detainees’ Affairs reported today, Monday, that three Palestinian detainees held in Gilboa Prison are suffering from serious and worsening health conditions, as revealed during a recent lawyer’s visit. The report highlights the following cases:

Munir Salameh, 25, from Jenin refugee camp, has been held without sentencing and is currently suffering from a severe case of scabies that has persisted for approximately four months. His body is covered in painful boils, and despite the seriousness of his condition, he has not received the necessary medical treatment.

Samer Qumbo’a, 30, from Jenin, is also detained without trial and suffers from chronic pain in his left ear, his neck and down to his left hand, sometimes causing a complete loss of sensation. He had been using a medical arm brace, but a day before the lawyer’s visit, a special unit stormed his cell, physically assaulted him, and confiscated the brace.
Qumbo’a is also enduring severe dental pain, further exacerbating his suffering.

Ibrahim Ramadi, 32, from Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, has been battling scabies for nearly two months. His condition has significantly deteriorated, with visible boils on his knees and eczema on his hands, due to unhygienic conditions. Detainees are unable to wash their clothes regularly as access to the laundry is restricted during short recreation periods, and the prison washing machine has been out of service. Ramadi also suffers from a congenital heart condition involving fluid around the heart and requires specific medication, which the prison administration has failed to provide. Additionally, he experiences frequent migraines and severe tendon pain in his left hand.

Detainee Mohammad Rayan

Illness, Hunger, and Medical Neglect Devastate Palestinian Detainees in Israeli Jails

May 6, 2025

The harsh reality faced by sick Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention continues to deteriorate, as the occupation authorities intensify their policy of punishment through deliberate medical neglect.

The systematic denial of healthcare, especially for elderly and ill detainees, adds unbearable physical and psychological suffering. Israeli prisons have become virtual coffins, those who enter are lost, and those who survive are reborn.

In a report published today, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs highlighted several alarming health cases among detainees:

. Hussein Abu Kweik, 68, from Ramallah, is a father of seven and was arrested on November 15, 2023. Currently held in Section 24 of the Negev prison under administrative detention, he has spent a total of 17 years in Israeli jails. He has lost over 60 kilograms and suffers from severe joint and knee inflammation without receiving any treatment, despite repeated pleas. He also has untreated scabies. Abu Kweik is a survivor of an assassination attempt during the Second Intifada, when his car was bombed, killing his wife, son, and two daughters.

. Thaer Ouda, 40, from Balata Refugee Camp, has been detained since September 25, 2024, and is currently in Section 8 of the Negev Prison. He was infected with scabies and only received minimal care when the condition became severe. Symptoms remain visible on his hands. He describes conditions in the prison as degrading, with frequent insults and no improvement in detention conditions.

. Riyad Swafteh, 22, from Tubas, has been held under administrative detention in the Negev Prison since May 10, 2023. He has suffered from scabies for around eight months without any medical intervention.

. Raed Adel Wadie Ratrout, 39, from Nablus, has served 18 years of a 27-year sentence and is held in Section 21 of the Negev Prison. He is experiencing serious dental issues but has been denied treatment. He also notes that both the quality and quantity of food remain poor.

. Yahya Jamil Al-Khatib, 36, from Beit Rima/ Ramallah, was arrested on February 22, 2024, and has had his administrative detention extended four times. He shares a cell with two prisoners suffering from scabies, yet none of them have received treatment.He reported harsh sanitary conditions and lack of access to showers.

. Sohaib Said Mohammad Kabha, 30, from Ya’bad/ Jenin, suffers from ongoing headaches and blurred vision in his left eye due to a head injury caused by beating from prison guards. A month ago, he also contracted the new "amoeba" virus, resulting in a weight loss of over 50 kilograms. Kabha was arrested on November 22, 2023, and is serving an 18-month administrative sentence.

. Mahmoud Mohammad Allan, 32, from Anata, Jerusalem, suffers from spinal pain and a serious injury to his right hand following a violent assault by prison guards in March 2024 while in Ramleh Prison.
Despite multiple requests for treatment, he has received none. He is currently held in the Negev Prison and was sentenced to four years after his arrest on November 27, 2022.

. Mohammad Maher Sarsour, 23, from Beitunia near Ramallah, sustained severe bruises across his body after being brutally beaten by guards about a week ago. He reported that “all detainees in Section 28 of the Negev are infected with the amoeba virus, and are suffering from continuous diarrhea and vomiting.”
Sarsour has been detained since May 26, 2024, under administrative detention. His detention has been extended twice, and he is expected to be released on May 22, 2025.

Commission of Detainees Affairs: Systematic medical negligence towards sick detainees in Negev Prison

May 25, 2025

The Commission of Detainees’ Affairs stated in its Sunday report that its legal team has visited a number of sick detainees held in Negev Prison, to assess their health and detention conditions. The detainees are enduring extremely harsh and deteriorating circumstances, particularly since the start of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.

During the visit, the lawyer met with detainee Ahmad Abu Mtawa’, 27, from the town of Tubas, who has been suffering from scabies for over a year. Despite the seriousness of his condition, he only received treatment two months ago, which failed to bring any improvement. His health has worsened further, with painful boils spreading across his body. He also suffers from general weakness, inability to walk, and impaired vision. A month ago, he fell in the bathroom and broke his nose. Moreover, he has lost nearly 30 kilograms due to malnutrition. Abu Mtawa’ has been imprisoned since July 2, 2002, and is serving a 27-year sentence.

Another case is Saleh Hamed, 41, from Silwad/Ramallah, who suffers from herniated spinal discs and severe back pain. He had also contracted scabies but has recently recovered.

The lawyer also visited Bassam Salameh from Nablus, detained since July 11, 2024, who has been struggling with an acute scabies infection and a widespread outbreak of boils since September 20, 2024. Two days before the lawyer’s visit, prison authorities provided him with minimal treatment, a single pill and two ointments. Although his condition has slightly improved, he remains far from recovery and has lost around 20 kilograms due to insufficient nutrition.

Detainee Ghassan Sheikh Qassem, 26, also from Nablus, is suffering from severe pain in his wisdom tooth. Despite repeated requests to be seen by the prison clinic or provided with pain relief, the prison administration has ignored his appeals.

Lastly, detainee Firas Dar Al-Hajj, from Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, is battling a severe case of scabies that causes intense itching and boils on his legs. His case is further complicated by the fact that he is a kidney donor, making proper treatment all the more critical. He too has lost nearly 20 kilograms due to poor medical care and malnutrition.

In a Harrowing Testimony by Detainee Bilal A'jarmeh

The Smell of Death Hangs Over Palestinian Detainees in Israeli Jails

May 13, 2025

Amid agony and oppression, behind iron bars and forgotten by the world, Palestinian detainees endure unbearable conditions. Hunger gnaws at their stomachs, strange diseases devour their bodies, and the deliberate neglect by Israeli prison authorities turns every day into a battle for survival.

Since the onslaught on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, the situation inside Israeli prisons has sharply deteriorated. Severe food shortages, squalid living conditions, and systematic medical neglect have left detainees' bodies frail, unable to resist even the most minor illness. Diseases, many of them previously unseen, have spread rapidly, finding in the detainees’ weakened bodies a fertile ground to flourish.

Twelve detainees share a single, tiny container of yogurt for the day. Driven by starvation, they are forced to eat spoiled food unfit for human consumption. Many are so weak and can barely move their lips. According to testimonies, the famine in the prisons has become more severe than even the infamous famine in Somalia. Detainees have no means to wash their eating utensils; the prison administration provides no cleaning supplies or replacements. Those taken on prison transport (the "Bosta") often remain without food for days.

As for sleep, if they can sleep at all, it is on bare foam mattresses—no blankets, no proper bedding. Some detainees, suffering from severe skin diseases, find their flesh sticking to the foam. Since the Gaza war, unknown illnesses have emerged, sweeping through prison cells like wildfire.

One chilling account comes from Bilal A'jarmeh, 44, from the town of Silwad. Detained since 7 September 2003 and currently held in Israel’s Janot Prison, A'jarmeh spoke to a lawyer from the Commission of Detainees Affairs during her visit:

“I’ve spent decades in prison and seen many diseases, including scabies. But what we’ve experienced recently is different, it’s something else entirely.”

Describing his personal ordeal, he said:
“About a year ago, I was infected with what they now call ‘Scabies’, but this wasn’t like anything we’ve seen before. Boils formed inside my knees, causing severe swelling and excruciating pain. The prison administration offered no treatment. Fellow detainee Hussam Shaheen would press the boils daily to drain the pus, three full cups a day.

I suffered in agony for four straight months under the watch of the jailers, and not a single painkiller was offered. My weight dropped from 160 kg to just 60 kg.”

Though now recovered, A'jarmeh still suffers from lasting pain.
“What’s alarming,” he adds, “is that the symptoms differ from one detainee to another, even when we’re in the same room. Some detainees emit an unbearable odor from their bodies. The situation defies imagination, it is more horrifying than words can describe.”

Many detainees wear the same undergarment for over a year. Each owns just one set of clothes, with no cleaning products available. If they attempt to wash their clothes with water, they must lie in bed until the garment dries before putting it back on.
A'jarmeh said he had to sew his torn underwear with a piece of wire, and he’s still wearing it more than a year later. He has no alternative.

Humiliation is a daily routine. “We die a thousand deaths each day,” one detainee says, “when they curse us and our families. The insults and degradation, sometimes, death seems more merciful than the humiliation.”

If the detainees survive these conditions and live to tell their stories, they will recount tales soaked in blood and pain, stories of abandonment, of facing death alone, like a wounded horse trapped between the hammer of oppression and the anvil of suffering.

If they speak, will the world listen? And if they fall silent forever—who will carry their truth?

Detainees in Ofer Prison Endure Medical Negligence and Inhumane Conditions

Commission of Detainees Affairs: Detainees in Ofer Prison Endure Medical Negligence and Inhumane Conditions

May 5, 2025

The Commission of Detainees Affairs has reported alarming conditions faced by Palestinian detainees held in Ofer prison, highlighting ongoing medical neglect and escalating repressive measures by the prison administration. According to the Commission’s legal representative, who recently visited the facility, detainees are subjected to deliberate medical negligence and degrading treatment, including repeated violent raids on their cells by special units.

The report states that detainees continue to suffer from poor-quality meals that are insufficient in quantity and lack essential nutrients such as salt and sugar. In a recent escalation, the prison’s Metzada unit stormed several sections, confiscated prisoners’ mattresses, and imposed collective punishments.

Recreational time is frequently denied without justification, and when granted, it is limited to only 30 minutes at 6:00 AM. Additionally, prisoners are struggling with severe shortages of clothing and personal necessities.

The Commission’s lawyer documented several individual cases during the visit:

Qutaiba Samour, an administrative detainee from Tulkarm, held in Section 19, Room 8, has been suffering from persistent skin irritation for over a month. Despite repeated requests for medical tests, the prison administration has failed to respond.

Abdullah Mohammad Saleh Manasrah, 18, from Jenin, held in Section 11, Room 15, suffers from dental pain and skin allergies. He is in need of medical ointments and thorough examination, yet his pleas have gone unanswered.

Sharaf Al-Din Adel Mohammad Abu Dayya, an administrative detainee from Halhul, held in Section 25, Room 14, suffers from vision problems that began prior to his arrest. He has requested proper medical evaluation, which has been repeatedly denied.

Mohammad Mahmoud Issa, from Bethlehem, held in Section 16, Room 12, is experiencing multiple health issues including ear infections, fungal conditions in his feet, and stomach complications. He stated that these problems developed after his detention and has filed multiple requests for treatment, all of which have been ignored by the prison administration.

The Commission condemned the ongoing violations and urged immediate international intervention to ensure the protection of detainees’ basic rights and access to necessary medical care.