DaysofPal- Iyad Haribat, a 41-year-old former prisoner from the city of Dura in Hebron, has emerged as one of the most emblematic cases of deliberate medical neglect and systemic abuse in Israeli prisons.
Freed as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Haribat’s harrowing journey through two decades of imprisonment highlights the severe consequences of Israel’s policies toward Palestinian detainees, particularly those with critical health conditions.
A Broken Body
Today, Haribat faces an uphill battle to recover from years of medical mistreatment. Upon his release, doctors in Egypt—where he was deported—revealed that his body is in its weakest state, requiring extensive treatment before undergoing life-saving surgery.
An opening in his abdomen, which he used for defecation, cannot be closed immediately due to his fragile physical condition. Instead, he must undergo months of intensive care, including healthy nutrition, antibiotics, and blood-thinning medications, to stabilize his health enough for surgery.
Haribat’s ordeal began in 2002 when he was arrested and subjected to three months of brutal interrogation, culminating in a life sentence handed down by Israeli occupation courts. By 2014, his health had deteriorated significantly, marked by nervous disorders, constant tremors, temporary memory loss, and an inability to stand unassisted. Despite these dire conditions, the Israeli occupation refused repeated appeals for his release, ignoring international calls for humane treatment.
Starvation Behind Bars
Conditions inside Israeli prisons further exacerbated Haribat’s plight. According to his brother Yousef, prisoners were often subjected to starvation tactics, receiving meager rations such as a single cup of rice and tomato sauce per day. Even knowing Haribat’s precarious medical state did not spare him from this punitive regime.
The situation worsened during the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, when communication between families and detainees was severed entirely. For Yousef and their mother, the silence brought unbearable anxiety about Haribat’s fate. Their last visit to him had been in July 2023, leaving them disconnected for months amidst rising fears for his safety.
Family Separation
Yousef’s bond with Haribat runs deep, forged through childhood visits to the prison. As the youngest sibling, Yousef was just five years old when Haribat was first arrested, making it easier for him to gain access to his brother compared to older siblings who faced frequent security bans. This connection made Yousef fiercely protective of Haribat’s well-being, even as they remained separated for over two decades.
When news of Haribat’s impending release finally arrived, Yousef and his family prepared to travel to greet him. However, an Israeli-imposed security ban prevented them from attending. Despite this setback, Yousef found solace in lengthy phone calls with his brother, some lasting up to six hours, during which Haribat expressed joy and gratitude while sharing updates on his condition.
People of Gaza sacrifices
In reflecting on Haribat’s freedom, Yousef credits the resilience and sacrifices of Gaza’s population, acknowledging that their struggle paved the way for his brother’s release. Yet, the family’s celebration remains bittersweet, overshadowed by the ongoing suffering in Gaza. “Our joy is incomplete because of what happened in Gaza,” Yousef said, adding, “the youngest child there is a crown on all our heads.”
Ongoing Medical Crimes
Throughout his detention, Haribat endured numerous forms of oppression, including solitary confinement and repeated transfers between prisons. His case exemplifies Israel’s pattern of using medical neglect as a tool of slow killing against Palestinian prisoners. The lack of proper healthcare, combined with harsh living conditions and psychological trauma, left Haribat battling multiple ailments that could have been prevented or managed under adequate care.
As Haribat begins his long road to recovery, his story stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Palestinian prisoners and their families, who refuse to surrender despite unimaginable hardships. It also serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform in addressing the widespread human rights abuses perpetuated within Israeli jails.
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