Testimonies from inside Israel’s Ofer prison paint a grim picture of systematic abuse and wilful medical negligence faced by Palestinian detainees, many of whom are held without charge under administrative detention.

According to the Palestinian Authority for Prisoners and Released Prisoners Affairs, prison authorities continue to storm cells and assault prisoners with the help of “Metsada” special units. During recent raids, mattresses were confiscated, collective punishments were imposed, and access to outdoor breaks — already limited to 30 minutes before sunrise — was arbitrarily denied. Detainees are also deprived of basic necessities, including adequate food and clothing.

Lawyers who visited the prison revealed disturbing medical conditions that remain untreated. Qutaiba Samour, held in Section 19, has been suffering from severe body-wide itching for over a month and has repeatedly asked for medical tests, all of which were ignored. In Section 11, 18-year-old Abdullah Manasra endures untreated dental pain and allergic reactions. Sharaf al-Din Abu Diya, imprisoned in Section 25, continues to suffer from pre-existing vision problems with no access to examinations. And in Section 16, Muhammad Mahmoud Issa battles ear infections, fungal issues, and stomach pain — ailments that developed in detention and have been neglected ever since.

These cases reflect a broader pattern of deliberate neglect and dehumanisation. Palestinian rights groups warn that such practices amount to collective punishment and violate international humanitarian law.

As the situation inside Ofer worsens, calls are growing louder for international organisations to intervene and hold Israel accountable for its treatment of detainees, many of whom are young, ill, or imprisoned without trial.