At least two Palestinian women detained by Israel are pregnant, as reports of worsening conditions and sexual harassment by Israeli guards emerge. The Palestinian commission for the affairs of prisoners and ex-prisoners highlighted the dire situation in a statement released on telegram on Sunday.
The statement indicates that the intensity of abuse and punitive measures against female detainees has significantly increased since October 7, 2023. The agency named the two pregnant women as Jihad Nakhlah and Aysha Ghidan, amongst the 78 women prisoners currently held at Damon prison.
Describing the harrowing conditions, the Palestinian Commission reported that female detainees are being completely isolated from the outside world and are deprived of basic rights such as adequate clothing and medical care. This neglect is particularly concerning for detainees with chronic health conditions.
“Furthermore, they are subjected to physical abuse and suppression since the beginning of their arrest, in addition to sexual harassment during strip searches and other threats,” the commission’s statement read. The narrative paints a grim picture of systematic mistreatment designed to break the spirits of the detainees.
The health conditions of detained women, especially those who are pregnant, are exacerbated by the lack of medical care. Advocacy groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm regarding inadequate healthcare in Israeli prisons, stressing that pregnant detainees require special attention to ensure their health and that of their unborn children.
“Their medical needs are urgent and must be addressed immediately,” stated Laila Akram, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Commission. “The deprivation of medical care for pregnant women is not just inhumane but can lead to severe complications for both the mother and child.”
An attorney for the Palestinian Commission who visited Damon prison confirmed the intensifying crackdown on female detainees. Israeli guards are reportedly confiscating fans as the weather heats up, further aggravating the prisoners’ suffering.
The attorney’s visit corroborated the persistent reports of physical and psychological abuse. The stripping away of fans, especially as summer temperatures rise, reveals a deliberate strategy to increase the discomfort and torment facing these women.
Broader Context of Palestinian Detentions
The plight of female detainees reflects the broader, troubling picture of the incarceration of Palestinians by Israeli forces. According to the Palestine Prisoner’s Society, nearly 9,300 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including approximately 250 children.
The detainees are often subjected to harsh conditions, physical abuse, and psychological torture. Human rights groups have condemned these practices, urging international intervention to uphold the basic rights of prisoners.
In response to the alarming reports, human rights organizations and Palestinian advocacy groups are calling for immediate intervention to protect the detainees’ rights and ensure their safety. They argue that the reported forms of abuse, particularly sexual harassment, constitute severe violations of international law.
“The international community must step up and hold Israel accountable for the continuous abuses in its prison system,” said Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian legislator and advocate. “What is happening to these women is a gross violation of their human rights.”
The news of the pregnant detainees and the abusive conditions in Israeli prisons has drawn international attention. Advocacy groups across the globe are pushing for campaigns to shine a spotlight on the plight of these women and to pressure Israeli authorities to improve prison conditions.
The ongoing documentary efforts and reports by international watchdogs aim to highlight the systemic issues within the Israeli prison system, calling for comprehensive reforms and adherence to international human rights standards.
The deteriorating conditions for Palestinian female detainees, particularly the pregnant women Jihad Nakhlah and Aysha Ghidan, reflect a broader crisis within the Israeli prison system. Systematic abuse, inadequate medical care, and increasing physical and psychological tortures have put the lives and well-being of these detainees in grave danger.
Human rights organizations continue to call for immediate international intervention to address these abuses and ensure the basic human rights of all prisoners are respected and protected. The Palestinian Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners remains steadfast in its advocacy, demanding urgent actions to alleviate the suffering of detainees and hold accountable those responsible for their mistreatment.
