The Prisoners’ Media Office has warned of a severe deterioration in conditions inside Israel’s Ofer prison, citing food shortages, inadequate medical care and worsening health conditions among Palestinian detainees.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the office said prisoners have experienced significant weight loss as a result of the Israeli policy of starvation and the poor quality of food provided inside the facility.
According to the statement, the situation has been compounded by a lack of medical care, contributing to the spread of skin diseases among detainees.
“The continued starvation policy in Ofer prison has led to significant weight loss for a number of prisoners due to a severe shortage of food and its poor quality.”
The office said scabies and fungal infections have become increasingly widespread among prisoners, attributing the outbreak to inadequate healthcare and poor detention conditions.
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It also said sick prisoners are being denied access to necessary treatment, which it argued is worsening their conditions and increasing the risks to their health.
The statement further accused prison authorities of reducing the time prisoners are allowed outside their cells and limiting their exposure to sunlight.
According to the office, these measures have intensified the difficulties faced by detainees and fall short of internationally recognised standards for the treatment of prisoners.
The Prisoners’ Media Office called on international human rights and humanitarian organisations to intervene and press for improved conditions, access to medical care and the provision of basic necessities for detainees.
The statement held the prison administration responsible for the welfare and safety of prisoners held at Ofer.
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