DaysofPal– Adel Sbaih, a recently released Palestinian prisoner, has recounted his harrowing experiences of torture and medical neglect during his detention in Israel’s Sde Teiman prison.
Sbaih, whose foot was amputated due to injuries sustained during his arrest, spoke out about the brutal conditions he endured, drawing attention to widespread human rights abuses in Israeli occupation prisons.
Arrest and Initial Abuse
Sbaih was arrested from Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City in March of last year while receiving treatment for injuries. During the raid, Israeli forces used him as a “human shield,” beating him severely and causing internal bleeding in his foot.
He later woke up in an Israeli hospital, where doctors informed him that his foot needed immediate amputation to save his life.
“They told me: Your foot must be amputated, or you will die, and we are not responsible for your life or any harm you will suffer from the operation,” Sbaih said. With no other choice, he reluctantly agreed to the procedure after signing documents absolving the Israeli authorities of responsibility.
Torture and Medical Neglect Inside Prison
Following his surgery, Sbaih faced relentless abuse and neglect during his imprisonment. Despite his severe injuries, guards forced him to crawl on the floor and subjected him to electric shocks, cigarette burns, and other forms of physical torture.
Throughout his detention, he underwent 26 operations—many of which he described as “experiments”—and experienced near-death situations multiple times due to complications from anesthesia.
“Prisoners suffer daily,” Sbaih stated. “We were beaten and humiliated by young and old alike. They attacked us with police dogs, fired tear gas and sound bombs, and sprayed pepper spray at us.”
Medical neglect remains a critical issue within Israeli prisons, where detainees often receive inadequate care or are left untreated altogether.
Sbaih’s case highlights this systemic problem, as he described being told by Israeli officials: “We die when we are treated.”
Legal Action Against Torturers
Even amidst his suffering, Sbaih demonstrated remarkable resilience by filing a lawsuit against the Israeli authorities for the torture he endured. An Israeli public prosecutor, translator, and lawyer visited him inside the prison to discuss the case.
When allowed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for early release, Sbaih refused, insisting on holding those responsible accountable.
“I wrote everything that happened to me in the case papers and even drew diagrams to illustrate the incident,” Sbaih explained. His determination to pursue justice reflects the broader struggle of Palestinian prisoners seeking recognition and redress for their mistreatment.
Return to Gaza and Advocacy
Sbaih was released as part of the sixth batch of the prisoner exchange deal, which saw the liberation of 369 Palestinian prisoners, including 333 from Gaza who were detained after October 7, 2023. Upon returning to the Gaza Strip, accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Sbaih expressed disbelief at the resilience of his homeland.
“They told me that Gaza is finished,” he said. “But look—it lives. Long live Palestine! We broke Israel’s backbone.”
Now free, Sbaih continues to advocate for the rights of Palestinian prisoners still held in Israeli jails, emphasizing the urgent need for international action to address ongoing human rights violations.
Human Rights Concerns
Adel Sbaih’s testimony adds to a growing body of evidence documenting torture, medical neglect, and degrading treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and B’Tselem, have repeatedly condemned these practices, calling for accountability and reform.
As Sbaih’s story gains global attention, it serves as both a powerful reminder of the injustices Palestinians face and a call to action for those committed to defending human dignity and freedom.
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