Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers face a severe scabies outbreak
At a Glance
- Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners suffer from a scabies outbreak due to inhumane conditions
- Overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and inadequate healthcare exacerbate the spread
- Human rights groups accuse Israeli authorities of deliberate neglect and mistreatment
- The Israeli Supreme Court is set to address the crisis amid mounting pressure
Scabies Outbreak Reveals Dire Conditions in Israeli Prisons
A severe outbreak of scabies among Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers has brought to light the within these facilities. The parasitic skin disease, which thrives in overcrowded and unsanitary environments, has affected hundreds of inmates across multiple prisons, including Naqab, Nafha, Ramon, Ofer, Megiddo, and Gilboa.
The outbreak is a result of lack of access to clean clothes, showers, medical care, and adequate food and water. Prisoners report being confined to their cells for extended periods without access to hygiene products, significantly exacerbating the spread of the disease.
In recent weeks, the Israel #Prison Authority has continued to neglect the scabies outbreak among incarcerated #Palestinians, deliberately ignoring established treatment protocols. Instead of providing medical care, disinfecting clothes and linens, and cleaning all living… pic.twitter.com/fSUp9rHz57
— Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) (@PHRIsrael) September 16, 2024
Testimonies Reveal Shocking Mistreatment
Former prisoners have come forward with accounts of their experiences. Ibrahim Abu Saffiyah, a released prisoner, described the conditions:
“We were 10 males in my cell, six of them were infected. I caught the disease two weeks before I was released. We would itch 24 hours a day and the boils on our skin would pop. It was torture,” he said.
Overcrowding is a significant issue, with cells housing double the number of prisoners they are designed for.
Accusations of Deliberate Neglect and Torture
Human rights groups have accused the Israel Prison Service of concealing the outbreak’s causes and denying treatment. Amany Sarahneh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Prisoners Club, stated that some prisoners report being told they are “terrorists and must die” when requesting treatment.
Children are not spared from this crisis. The case of 15-year-old Iyad Idais, who was arrested in March and released in October, highlights the impact on young detainees. Iyad’s father, Ashraf, described his son’s condition upon release:
“He was very thin and covered in bloody, festering blisters. We didn’t recognize him at first, but then we realized that he had returned from the dead,” Ashraf said.
Call for Immediate Action
As the Israeli Supreme Court prepares to address the conditions of Palestinian prisoners, there is mounting pressure for comprehensive reform. The Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club have warned of an “imminent health disaster” if immediate action is not taken.
