Palestinian Prisoners in Ofer Face Deteriorating Conditions

Palestinian prisoners in Ofer prison are facing worsening health and living conditions, according to a recent report by the Palestinian Prisoners and Freed Prisoners Affairs Authority. The report, issued on Sunday, highlights severe issues including inadequate food, lack of medical care, and frequent attacks within the prison.

The authority stated that prisoners are suffering from poor-quality and insufficient food, exacerbating health concerns and their ability to endure detention. Additionally, prisoners are experiencing a shortage of clothing, blankets, and cleaning supplies, along with reduced time for outdoor activities and bathing. Skin diseases are also spreading rapidly due to these conditions.

Prisoners have reported frequent raids on their cells, accompanied by physical assaults, humiliation, and verbal abuse, further increasing the physical and psychological pressure on detainees. These reports come after previous warnings about deteriorating conditions in the prison. In September, the authority reported the declining health and humanitarian conditions of three prisoners, including an elderly prisoner with chronic illnesses and a history of abuse during detention.

One notable case is that of 15-year-old Mohammad Hamid, who contracted scabies during his detention in Ofer, leading to severe health deterioration, infections, heart surgeries, and ultimately the amputation of one of his legs. He continues to receive treatment after his release. In September, administrative detainee Mutaz Attrash, 21, from Hebron, died in the prison. He had been held without charge or trial since October 2025.

These conditions in Ofer are part of a broader pattern documented by prisoner rights organizations since October 2023. A report issued on October 6 detailed torture, starvation, denial of medical treatment, and collective assaults, based on legal team visits and testimonies from freed prisoners. The report stated that over 100 prisoners have died in the past three years, with the identities of 92 confirmed, while the fate of others, particularly from Gaza, remains unknown due to forced disappearance.

According to the same data, over 9,300 prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons, with more than 700 administrative detainees, including 33 women and 27 children. Administrative detention allows for indefinite imprisonment without trial or charge, a practice that has been widely criticized by human rights organizations.

CONTEXT: The conditions in Ofer prison highlight broader issues of human rights and detention practices in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The use of administrative detention and the reported mistreatment of prisoners have been subjects of international scrutiny and criticism. These issues are part of the ongoing debate about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and the broader humanitarian situation in the region.