Several Palestinian prisoner advocacy organizations have issued an urgent call to the World Health Organization (WHO), raising alarm over what they describe as a growing health and humanitarian crisis inside Israeli prisons.
In a joint statement released via Telegram, Addameer, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, and the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs expressed deep concern over deteriorating health conditions in prisons such as al-Naqab, Megiddo, Gilboa, and Ofer.
The appeal warned of an “unprecedented rate of deaths in custody”, citing the spread of various diseases and untreated health conditions. Among the illnesses reported were scabies, chronic skin infections, amoebic diseases, persistent vomiting, and ongoing diarrhoea.
The groups also pointed to serious dermatological issues among child detainees, many of whom remain undiagnosed and untreated.
The statement emphasized that prisoners are routinely denied medical treatment and care for underlying conditions, exacerbating their suffering.
“This is not just a public health emergency – it is a humanitarian catastrophe,” the appeal declared.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 65 Palestinian prisoners have reportedly died in custody—deaths the groups attribute to starvation, disease, and medical neglect.
The advocacy groups stressed that the systematic denial of medical care, hygiene products, and clean conditions amounts to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, calling on the WHO and international bodies to step in immediately to prevent further deaths.
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