Scabies Used as Torture Tool Against Palestinian Prisoners
Rights group reports systematic abuse, starvation, and medical neglect in Israeli detention facilities.
1Widespread Scabies Outbreak
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society reports that approximately 80% of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons are suffering from scabies. Legal teams conducting visits in October and early November confirmed that prisoners, including children, lack access to genuine medical treatment. This condition is reportedly exacerbated by severe overcrowding and a critical shortage of clothing.
2Systematic Prison Raids
Testimonies describe frequent, violent raids by special prison administration units armed with weapons and accompanied by police dogs. These operations occur as often as every two or three days in some wings. Prisoners report injuries from rubber bullets and unfamiliar weapons that cause burns, leaving some victims unable to move or walk.
3Physical Assaults Reported
Detainees documented severe physical abuse, including broken teeth and ribs caused by beatings during security inspections. In one instance, a prisoner identified as A.B. suffered a severed tendon in his hand during a raid. Another prisoner, M.K., reported having two teeth broken during an assault by forces in Section 26 of the facility.
4Starvation and Deprivation
The report highlights a policy of deliberate starvation, noting that the quality and quantity of food provided to detainees have remained unchanged for three years. Prisoners are frequently forced to sit on iron beds or floors after mattresses are removed throughout the day, significantly increasing the suffering of elderly and wounded inmates.
5Conditions for Female Detainees
Female prisoners held in Damon Prison face conditions similar to their male counterparts, including systematic repression and denial of basic healthcare. Despite reports of severe itching and limb spasms, prison authorities reportedly deny scabies diagnoses, labeling the symptoms as simple allergies. Overcrowding in these sections continues to worsen as arrest campaigns persist.
6Legal Access Denied
Legal representatives face significant obstacles in documenting these abuses, as many prisoners are afraid to speak due to fear of retaliation. During recent visits, some detainees were not permitted to sign necessary powers of attorney. This restriction prevents legal teams from effectively following up on individual cases or addressing specific medical needs.
7Hygiene Infrastructure Failure
The spread of disease is linked to the lack of adequate shower facilities, particularly in Naqab Prison following a major breakdown. The acute shortage of clothing further prevents basic hygiene maintenance. These environmental factors, combined with the denial of medical equipment, turn routine prison life into a tool for psychological and physical humiliation.
8Call for International Action
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society asserts that these testimonies reflect a generalized pattern of torture rather than isolated incidents. The group has renewed its urgent appeal to the international human rights system, citing a failure to act against these crimes. They warn that many prisoners may not survive if these systematic practices continue unabated.
Original article: The New Arab — Scabies Used as Torture Tool Against Palestinian Prisoners