Rights groups warn of worsening medical neglect in Israeli detention

Palestinian rights groups are warning of a growing pattern of medical negligence in Israeli detention, highlighting new cases they say reflect the systematic deterioration of prisoners' health.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) emphasised two cases of medical negligence, including that of Mohammad Mousa Suleiman Hmedi – a fifteen-year-old Palestinian detainee from Bethlehem who underwent open-heart surgery on Thursday at Israel's Shaare Zedek Medical Centre.

His family said they were unaware of his condition, adding that they were not allowed to visit him after the procedure. Limited information from prison authorities suggests he remains in critical condition and requires intensive medical care.

Hmeid was detained in February and has since been held in Ofer Prison, a facility where human rights groups have long documented abuses at the hands of Israeli officers, including denial of medical treatment and starvation.

PPS said he had no known health problems before his detention, adding that Israeli prison conditions have caused many previously healthy detainees to develop serious health issues as a result of torture and abuse.

The group also notes the case of 30-year-old Malek Hani Jibril, who had his right leg amputated after Israeli forces shot and then detained him near Checkpoint 300 in July this year. Israeli officials gave no information about the medical treatment Jibril received.

PPS warned that limb amputations have become one of the most serious issues facing wounded prisoners, particularly those shot before being detained.

The group said Hmeid and Jibril's cases reflect the wider experience of thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, and directly held the authorities responsible for the deterioration in many detainees’ health.

Since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war in October 2023, forces have detained over 24,600 Palestinians, including 1,900 children, while 9,400 remain imprisoned. Following their release, many Palestinians have reported accounts of being tortured and physically, mentally and sexually abused at the hands of Israeli forces.

Physicians for Humans Rights has documented the death of at least 98 detainees held under Israeli detention since the start of the war.