DayofPal– — Gaza prisoners held in Israeli custody are enduring unbearable conditions amid reports that another detainee has died today due to severe torture, raising the total number of Palestinian prisoners who have died while incarcerated to 56.
Alaa Skaafi, Director of the Al-Dameer Human Rights Organization in Gaza, has shed light on the harrowing abuses endured by Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, uncovering a systematic mistreatment.
According to Skaafi, prisoners from Gaza have reported being subjected to scalding hot water during arrests and while being transferred between detention centers. These acts of abuse are often accompanied by severe beatings, humiliation, and the denial of essential medical care.
Skaafi emphasized that sick and injured detainees are specifically targeted for relentless torture. In one particularly distressing case in Sde Teiman torture camp, a prisoner, who suffers from epilepsy, was brutally beaten on his head and body during a seizure, highlighting the cruelty inflicted on vulnerable detainees.
Skaafi also confirmed that the family of the slain detainee who died today in custody has chosen not to disclose his name in fear of Israeli attacks.
Adding to the already bitter situation, numerous prisoners have provided testimonies about being subjected to sexual assault, which has left them with profound psychological scars, further compounding their traumatic suffering.
In a relative context, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, the Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, remains in detention in Israeli custody with no formal charges filed against him. His family has raised urgent concerns about his well-being, saying that he has been subjected to severe torture during his detention, leaving him in critical condition.
The son of Abu Safiya, Elias, said that released detainees who were held alongside Dr. Abu Safiya have reported that he suffered serious injuries as a result of mistreatment. He expressed the family’s anguish over his difficult situation.
“We are extremely anxious and deeply saddened about my father’s fate. We do not know the reason for his arrest, and his health is deteriorating,” Elias said.
Dr. Abu Safiya was detained 10 days ago in Sde Teiman before being referred to the Ashkelon Court three days ago. His detention has been extended until February 13, 2025, and legal representatives have been prohibited from visiting him until January 22, further heightening the family’s distress, as Elias revealed.
“There are still no charges against my father, and he remains under investigation. The lack of transparency and denial of legal counsel are deeply concerning,” Elias added.
Abu Safiya’s arrest has sparked significant international outcry, with numerous organizations and human rights advocates calling for his immediate release. His dire conditions have drawn widespread criticism.
Dr. Abu Safiya, a respected figure in the Gaza’s medical field, has long been recognized for his dedication to healthcare and humanitarian work in the Kamal Adwan hospital, from where he was abducted along with other medical staff.
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