Israeli medical negligence has killed 73 Palestinian prisoners since occupation: NGO

The Palestinian Prisoners Club has blamed the death of 73 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons since its 1967 occupation on medical neglect, as conditions become 'worse' for prisoners.
2 min read
10 September, 2022
Israel holds around 4,500 Palestinian political prisoners across its jails [Getty]

At least 73 have lost their lives due to during detentions in Israeli prisons since 1967, the Palestinian Prisoners Club (PCC) has revealed.

The NGO said the 73 prisoners who succumbed to their deaths due to the negligence are among the 231 Palestinian prisoners who have died while in detention, the last of whom being , who died in detention in Damon Prison in early July.

Farajallah, who was among the oldest prisoners in the Israeli jail, suffered from chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

The PCC said that Israel continues to hold the bodies of nine prisoners who have died or were killed during their detention.

The group added thatsick prisoners havewitnessed worseningconditions over the past few yearsas has increased, along with torture, which has been the biggest causeof death for mostPalestinian prisoners held across Israeli jails.

The group pointed out that about 600 ill prisoners in Israeli prisons are currently facing , including about 200 suffering from chronic diseases, and 23 with tumors and cancers of various degrees.

They added that the most severe impacted prisoner is Nasser Abu Hamid, who has lung cancer and is currently serving a life sentence, and faces the risk of death "at any moment" despite medical reports calling for his release.

The PPC accused of deliberately delaying the transfer of sick prisoners to hospitals and conducting medical examinations for them, noting that six cases of cancer were recorded among the prisoners during the period from August 2021 and last June.

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Currently, there are about 18 sick and wounded prisoners are currently detained in abysmal conditions inside Ramla prison, according to the group.

Israel continues to hold around 4,500 Palestinian , 650 of whom are "administrative detainees," meaning they are held or trialfor up to six months at a time which can be renewed for an indefinite period.

Rights group deem the practice abusive, particularly towards children, who are often held on suspicion of throwing stones.