DaysofPal — A Palestinian rights organization has documented a sharp increase in arrests by Israeli forces during February, including a significant number of women and minors detained across the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The Palestine Center for Prisoners’ Studies reported that 525 arrests were recorded during the month, including 21 women and 37 children under the age of 18.
The report also noted the death of a detainee from the Gaza Strip while in custody.
According to the organization, Israeli forces continued large-scale arrest raids in villages and refugee camps, at times converting seized homes into temporary field interrogation centers. Detainees were reportedly subjected to beatings before many were later released with warnings not to engage in activities deemed “incitement.”
The report documented the arrest of two young boys, one aged 10 from Azzun east of Qalqilya and another aged 12 from Tulkarm, who were held for ten days and allegedly subjected to torture.
Authorities were also said to have intensified arrests of women and girls, including minors and journalists, bringing the number of female prisoners to about 70.
Those detained reportedly included university students, a formerly imprisoned journalist, and a 17-year-old girl, as well as women from cities such as Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and surrounding areas.
The report said the number of prisoner deaths since the start of the conflict has risen to 325, including Hatem Ismail Rayan, a 59-year-old from Gaza who was arrested in December 2024 while working at Kamal Adwan Hospital. He allegedly died due to torture and medical neglect.
Israeli occupation forces also continued issuing administrative detention orders, imprisonment without formal charges, with 709 new or renewed orders issued based on recommendations from the Shin Bet.
Several female detainees were reportedly placed under such orders.
The report stated that 57 detainees from Gaza were released after periods of detention during which they allegedly faced torture and required hospitalization upon release.
About 2,000 others from Gaza remain in custody, with claims that many are subjected to enforced disappearance.
Prison conditions were described as deteriorating sharply, particularly during Ramadan, with shortages of food, clothing, and hygiene supplies, the spread of skin diseases, restricted movement, prolonged blindfolding, and extended lockdowns inside cells.
The findings highlight ongoing concerns over detention practices and humanitarian conditions for Palestinian prisoners amid the continuing conflict.
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