Over 40 Palestinians released from Israel prisons with signs of torture, skin diseases

Israeli occupation authorities released over 40 Palestinian prisoners from the occupied West Bank, including several administrative detainees who had been held without charge or trial.

The prisoners were released at the Thaheriyya military roadblock south of occupied Hebron, outside Ofer Prison and near the Salem military base. According to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS), some of those released, particularly from Naqab Prison in the Negev, are suffering from skin diseases.

Initial images of the released detainees highlight the severe mistreatment they suffered, including systematic starvation and food deprivation. Many were immediately transferred to hospitals for medical care.

Last night’s release follows the release of around 25 Palestinian detainees from Gaza earlier this week. They were immediately transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis for medical treatment after enduring months of captivity in “inhumane” conditions, according to the New Arab.

One video showed the detainees arriving at the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, dressed in tattered clothes, looking gaunt and pale, with bandages around their heads. Among them was Walid Ibrahim Habib, who had serious injuries to his arms and legs.

Apologists for rape: The Sde Teiman protests

The Israeli military has denied allegations of “systematic abuse”, claiming that any abuse of detainees is strictly prohibited and thoroughly investigated. However, the sheer number of consistent accounts from former detainees, coupled with the testimony of Israeli personnel at the site, suggests a disturbing pattern of mistreatment and torture.

Moreover, despite these recent releases, Israel continues its daily raids across various cities and towns in the occupied West Bank to arrest more Palestinians.

A joint statement from the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and the PPS estimates that more than 10,100 Palestinians have been detained by the Israeli occupation army in the West Bank since 7 October 2023.

At least 635 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 5,400 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Ministry of Health.

In a landmark advisory opinion on 19 July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land “illegal” and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and for reparations to be paid to Palestinians.