Prisoners' Media Office - August 27, 2024

The Israeli prison administration continues its criminal policies against prisoners in Negev Desert Prison, particularly through deliberate medical neglect. This neglect has significantly worsened the conditions of the prisoners, putting their lives at severe risk as necessary medical treatment is intentionally withheld.

Since October 7, these policies have intensified, with additional punitive measures imposed on the prisoners. The administration has adopted a retaliatory strategy of isolating prisoners from the outside world, subjecting them to starvation and abuse, and depriving them of basic human necessities.

A lawyer recently visited several prisoners in Negev Prison and reported harrowing testimonies about the conditions of sick prisoners.

• Iyad Samhan (48 years old), from Beit Sira near Ramallah, serving a 30-year sentence, reported a severe outbreak of scabies (skybos) due to medical neglect and the lack of personal and general hygiene supplies for prisoners and their living spaces.

  • Samhan stated: "I was given antibiotics three times, but due to the spread of the virus and the extended period without treatment, my body no longer responds. The disease re-emerged more aggressively, causing a large boil in specific areas of my body. This led to blood retention and severe inflammation, for which I was transferred to a hospital and underwent a cleaning procedure. My condition is now stable."

• Samih Alawi (63 years old), from Nablus, an administrative detainee, recounted the abuse he suffered at the hands of Israeli soldiers during his transfer to the prison, despite his fragile health condition. Alawi underwent several surgeries, including the removal of part of his intestines due to a benign tumor, and his treatment was supposed to continue but was halted due to his detention. He has lost over 40 kilograms and is unable to consume even a small piece of food. Alawi has spent a total of 10 years in prison across various periods.

• Rasem Hamamra (30 years old), from Husan near Bethlehem, suffers from severe dental issues requiring urgent treatment, which was stopped under the pretext of the ongoing war on Gaza. He was arrested on March 26, 2022, and is serving a 30-year sentence.

• Othman Shalaan (24 years old), from Bethlehem, serving a 9-year sentence, suffers from widespread skin allergies and a left leg injury sustained during his arrest, causing sharp pain and inflammation. Like many detainees, he has lost a significant amount of weight in recent months.

The sick prisoners in Negev Prison have called for urgent intervention by human rights organizations to put an end to the crimes committed against them and to ensure they receive the necessary medical treatment.