Palestinian detainees from Gaza held in the “Rakevet” section of Nitzan Prison in Ramla are reportedly subjected to extreme deprivation and abuse, described by rights groups as a “living cemetery” for prisoners. Isolated underground, the section receives no sunlight or fresh air, bans communication with the outside world, and denies detainees basic necessities, including adequate food, medical care, and hygiene supplies. The conditions are said to systematically degrade both physical and mental health, leaving detainees at constant risk.

Reports indicate that prisoners are forced to lie on cold floors for hours while handcuffed tightly, beaten by repression units, and denied family visits. Food provided is minimal and nutritionally insufficient, creating severe malnutrition, while medical neglect has allowed diseases, such as scabies, to spread unchecked. Daily practices, including confiscating mattresses and limiting yard time, amplify suffering and prevent recovery, reinforcing a climate of despair.

The Palestine Center for Prisoners’ Studies warns that these measures constitute deliberate cruelty and could result in deaths at any moment. The organisation has called on international bodies, including the Red Cross, to urgently investigate conditions in the “Rakevet” section, advocate for prisoner rights, and pressure the authorities to close the section, highlighting that these abuses violate international human rights standards and may amount to war crimes.