SAFA- – Israeli prison forces have intensified their assaults on Palestinian detainees from the Gaza Strip held at Ganot Prison, subjecting them to violent raids, beatings, rubber bullets and the denial of medical care, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Prisoners’ Media Office.

The organization reported that Israeli special prison units stormed detainees’ rooms accompanied by police dogs, fired rubber bullets indiscriminately and used gas and pepper spray before beating prisoners with batons and sticks.

Several Palestinian detainees suffered broken arms during the raid, while another sustained burns to his hand after being directly struck by a munition, the organization said.

The Asra Media Office described the operation as part of an escalating campaign of abuse against Palestinians imprisoned since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023.

According to the statement, Israeli prison forces deliberately targeted detainees already suffering from serious medical conditions, including skin infections, scabies and boils.

The organization reported that guards struck infected areas of prisoners’ bodies, causing wounds to reopen and bleed, intensifying their pain and worsening their medical conditions.

In one case, a Palestinian detainee with severe visual impairment had his eyeglasses destroyed during the assault. The prisoner was also suffering from scabies and painful skin infections, leaving him particularly vulnerable to further abuse.

Another detainee, whose leg had previously been stabilized with metal plates, was reportedly beaten directly on the injured limb. Despite experiencing severe pain, he was denied transfer to the prison clinic and prevented from receiving medical treatment.

Prisoners Denied Food, Showers and Medical Care

The reported assaults were accompanied by additional punitive measures targeting prisoners’ basic needs.

According to the Asra Media Office, Israeli prison authorities denied detainees breakfast, delayed lunch until late in the day and prevented them from accessing showers and toilets.

The organization warned that these measures were particularly dangerous for prisoners suffering from untreated injuries and infectious skin conditions, as the denial of hygiene facilities and medical attention could further aggravate their health.

The reported treatment raises serious concerns under international standards governing the treatment of prisoners, including prohibitions on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Rights Group Warns of Escalating Abuse

The Asra Media Office linked the reported escalation to Israel’s domestic political climate and the anniversary of October 7 events, that the operation was politically motivated.

The organization also referred to upcoming Israeli elections, although it provided no independently verifiable evidence establishing a direct connection between the reported prison raid and electoral considerations.

It held Israeli prison authorities fully responsible for the lives, health and safety of Palestinian detainees, warning that continued assaults and the denial of medical treatment could have devastating consequences.

The organization called on international human rights institutions and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently to halt the reported abuses, ensure immediate medical treatment for injured prisoners and guarantee access to food, sanitation and other basic necessities.

The latest reports add to mounting concerns raised by Palestinian prisoners’ rights organizations over the treatment of Gaza detainees in Israeli custody, particularly reports of physical abuse, medical neglect and restrictions on access to essential services.

For Palestinians imprisoned at Ganot, the reported assaults have compounded the suffering of detention, leaving injured and medically vulnerable prisoners facing further deterioration without adequate protection or treatment.