The deaths of the prisoners highlight ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
The reported health crises among prisoners reflect broader issues of medical neglect and human rights violations within the prison system.
The rising number of martyrs underscores the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region since October 2023.
The situation in Israeli prisons may lead to increased international scrutiny and calls for reform regarding prisoner treatment.
The ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank could result in further casualties and exacerbate humanitarian conditions.
Continued advocacy from Palestinian rights organizations may push for greater accountability from Israeli authorities regarding prisoner treatment.
Two Palestinian Prisoners Martyred in Israeli Prisons
In a tragic development, two Palestinian prisoners have been reported martyred in Israeli prisons, including Samih Aliwi, a prominent leader of the Hamas movement from Nablus. According to the Prisoners' Authority and the Prisoners' Club, Aliwi, aged 61, was martyred on November 6, 2024, after being transferred from the Ramla prison clinic to Assaf Harofeh Hospital. The prison administration failed to announce his death, which has raised concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the treatment of prisoners. Alongside Aliwi, Anwar Shaaban Muhammad Aslim from Gaza also succumbed to health complications during his transfer to Soroka Hospital.
Health Conditions and Systematic Abuse
The Prisoners' Authority revealed that Aliwi had been administratively detained since October 21, 2023, and had a history of serious health issues, including a benign tumor in his intestines. His health deteriorated significantly during his incarceration, exacerbated by the lack of medical care. Similarly, Aslim, who had been detained since December 8, 2023, reportedly did not have any health issues prior to his arrest. The organizations have condemned the Israeli prison system for what they describe as a policy of 'slow killing' and systematic abuse of Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the dire health conditions in prisons, including a recent outbreak of scabies affecting hundreds of inmates.
Rising Toll of Palestinian Martyrs
With the deaths of Aliwi and Aslim, the number of known Palestinian martyrs in Israeli prisons since 1967 has risen to 280. This includes 43 martyrs since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with approximately 147,000 Palestinians reported as martyrs or wounded in Gaza, alongside 783 martyrs and over 6,300 wounded in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The situation remains critical, with more than 10,200 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli facilities, and many others subjected to enforced disappearance.
