The Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza has raised concerns over the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers, calling for international inspections following the release of several detainees who appeared frail and malnourished.
Among those released was Aziz Dweik, the former Speaker of the Council, who had been held for nine months on accusations of Hamas affiliation. Dweik's physical deterioration upon release has sparked outrage within the Council, with allegations of starvation, isolation, and torture being leveled against Israeli authorities.
Dweik himself described the dire conditions inside the prisons, stating that prisoners were deprived of adequate food, leading to health issues such as skin diseases. He highlighted the lack of essential items like sugar, salt, and fruit in the prison diet.
The Israel Defense Forces and prison authorities have been called upon to respond to these allegations, which include claims of medical malpractice and mistreatment of detainees.
Most of the recently released prisoners were administrative detainees, held without formal charges. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society has reported cases of prolonged detention, torture, and abuse suffered by these individuals during their time in Israeli custody.
Earlier investigations revealed disturbing practices within Israeli detention facilities, including allegations of unnecessary amputations and medical procedures performed by unqualified personnel. The IDF has stated that any misconduct by soldiers is thoroughly investigated and addressed.
Since an attack on Israel by Hamas in October, Israeli military facilities have been repurposed to detain Palestinian prisoners from Gaza. The Prisoners' Society has highlighted the urgent medical needs of released detainees, many of whom require immediate hospitalization due to deteriorating health conditions.
The call for international inspections of Israeli detention centers underscores growing concerns about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and the need for accountability in ensuring their well-being.
