Female Palestinian Prisoner Says Tortured by Israeli Forces
The incident unfolded on the evening of September 4, around 9 pm, when Amarneh was arrested as she was departing from the Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. An Israeli soldier alleged that she had attempted to stab him.
The Palestinian Prisoners and Ex-prisoners Affairs Commission reported that Amarneh, aged 41 and hailing from Jenin, conveyed to her lawyer that Israeli soldiers had physically assaulted her during the arrest, leading to a loss of consciousness. She later regained consciousness while handcuffed inside a police vehicle, Peoples Dispatch reported.
Subsequently, following her arrest, she was transported to an Israeli investigation center, where she says to have experienced both physical and psychological mistreatment during interrogation. Amarneh asserted that police officers threatened her with sexual assault and subjected her to multiple strip searches. She noted that her handcuffs were intentionally tightened to cause pain, and she endured repeated kicks, punches, and shoving, resulting in her clothing bearing blood stains.
Amarneh further detailed her experiences, mentioning that authorities frequently transferred her from one location to another. She recounted being taken to Ramla prison, where she was reportedly deprived of food, water, and basic amenities while being held in a dim and unsanitary cell. She described her cell as having minimal furnishings, including a bed with a thin leather mattress, lacking pillows, and providing only a dirty and malodorous blanket. The prison's toilet facilities were also characterized as substandard. She was subsequently transferred to Damon prison.
Concerns were raised about the visible bruises on Amarneh's body, though her access to medical treatment remains uncertain.
Israeli authorities have a long history of medical negligence concerning Palestinian prisoners, even in cases of life-threatening illnesses. Israeli security forces and prison authorities have been involved of mistreating and abusing Palestinian prisoners, including women and children. Various restrictions and coercive tactics, often in violation of international law, are reported to be used against them. Human rights organizations and the international community have repeatedly called on the regime to adhere to international legal standards when it comes to prisoners, but violations of prisoners' rights persist.
Currently, there are approximately 5,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including dozens of women and children.
Source: Agencies
