Gaza Herald – Palestinian female detainees continue to suffer harsh conditions in Israeli prisons, a hardship that intensifies during Ramadan as they spend the holy month far from their families and children. The prisoners face overcrowded cells, insufficient food, and limited medical care, with daily life marked by Israeli administrative restrictions, punitive measures, and systemic humiliation.
According to Hassan Abed Rabbo, adviser to the Palestinian Authority on prisoners’ affairs, around 70 women, including 24 mothers, are held in Damoun prison. Many are detained on charges of “incitement,” including journalists, university students, and minors. Families are denied visits, lawyers face severe restrictions, and the prison administration exploits emergency measures to enforce isolation and abuse.
Reports detail deliberate deprivation practices: prisoners are often unaware of Ramadan timings, receive cold and minimal food in insufficient portions, and are denied clean water. Nutritional deficiencies, spoiled vegetables, minimal servings of rice and bread, and lack of fruit reflect systematic maltreatment. Any objection to these conditions may trigger additional punishments, including meal deprivation.
Female prisoners with chronic illnesses face dangerous medical neglect, with single medications provided for multiple conditions without proper diagnosis or follow-up, posing life-threatening risks. Former PA prisoners’ official Qadura Fares highlighted that these abuses form part of a “continuous catastrophe” against Palestinian detainees, aimed at undermining their dignity and morale.
Prison authorities reportedly enforce collective punishments, including surprise inspections, confiscation of belongings, fines, and reduced yard time, compounding psychological and physical stress. Observers emphasize that the suffering of female detainees is inseparable from the anguish of their families, particularly mothers separated from children. Rights groups are called on to intervene urgently, monitor prison conditions, and ensure compliance with international humanitarian standards.
