Palestinian women prisoners face oppression and medical neglect in Israeli jails

Palestinian women prisoners in Israel's Damon Prison are enduring dire humanitarian conditions marked by severe medical neglect and ongoing oppression, a report by the Palestinian Detainees Affairs Office reveals. The situation is particularly alarming for pregnant women, cancer patients, minors, and the elderly, who are allegedly held in conditions failing to meet basic human standards.

Currently, approximately 99 women are detained at Damon Prison, facing escalating violations that have worsened their physical and psychological health. Three pregnant detainees, Amina Shaher Al-Tawil, Dana Anad Joudeh, and Manar Ibrahim Karajah, are reportedly experiencing their pregnancies within the prison, separated from their families and lacking adequate medical care for themselves and their unborn children.

In terms of health, the report highlights Fidaa Assaf, who suffers from leukemia, and Suhair Za’aqiq, battling cancer. Abeer Odeh faces complex health issues, including the loss of 25 percent of her esophagus and part of her intestine, recurrent blood vomiting, and three lumps in her stomach. Fatimah Yusuf has hepatitis, with ongoing medical neglect and treatment delays.

The report also draws attention to Firdaws Tanatrah, who has a physical disability, and Salwa Ghawadra, an elderly detainee from Jenin exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms, reportedly arrested at a military checkpoint. Two minors, Ola Qteishat and Nada Bani Odeh, are held separately from other female prisoners, while Sally Sidqah and Hanaa Hammad were moved to different cells after turning 18 during their detention.

Furthermore, the Damon Prison administration is accused of continuing oppressive policies against the women. The report details numerous "oppression operations" conducted by the prison administration throughout April, May, and June. Three women, Shireen Hamamreh, Nidaa Qatamesh, and Aya Fuqaha, are reportedly held in solitary confinement, with isolation policies rotated weekly to break their psychological state and spirit.