Israel Uses Scabies as a Tool to Torture Palestinian Prisoners
The Palestinian Prisoners Club reported on Tuesday that the Israeli prison administration is using scabies as a method to torture Palestinian detainees in its facilities.
Scabies as a Weapon
The Prisoners Club stated that scabies, also known as scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei), has become one of the most notable diseases affecting prisoners. Many detainees show visible effects on their bodies due to the disease, and medical examinations confirm they also suffer from other health issues as a result.
The prison administration has turned the right to medical treatment into a tool for torment over decades.
Harrowing Testimonies from Released Prisoners
The club shared a testimony from an unnamed prisoner released from Ramon Prison in southern Israel. He described how the administration labeled his section as the “zombie” area due to the visible effects of the disease on the bodies of the inmates.
Most prisoners released from Israeli custody report ongoing health issues, including chronic problems that require medical follow-up.
Disturbing Evidence of Abuse
The Prisoners Club released images of recently freed detainees who showed significant changes in their appearance due to systematic crimes committed against them. These crimes include medical negligence, starvation, and torture.
Among those released is a 15-year-old boy named Iyad from the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem, who was freed under dire health conditions due to scabies.
Numbers Tell a Grim Story
Since the onset of the Israeli offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have detained over 11,300 Palestinians in the West Bank and thousands more from Gaza.
In June, the Palestinian Authority’s Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs highlighted the crimes committed against child prisoners. These minors suffer from severe overcrowding and lack basic hygiene facilities, including showers and personal hygiene items. This lack of care has contributed to the spread of scabies among them.
Ongoing Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
As Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, its military operations have expanded. Settler attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have intensified, resulting in the deaths of 756 Palestinians and injuries to approximately 6,250 others.
With U.S. support, the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza have led to over 141,000 Palestinian casualties and more than 10,000 people reported missing. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with significant destruction and starvation impacting children and older individuals.
Despite international calls for an immediate end to the violence, including a United Nations Security Council resolution and orders from the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide, Israel persists in its actions.
