The head of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, Qadura Fares, briefed a delegation from the European Institute for Peace on the crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people, especially those detained and imprisoned. The meeting took place on Thursday at the headquarters of the PPS.

According to Fares, these crimes constitute a brutal assault, by the Israeli occupation forces, targeting all facets of the Palestinian population, and intending to crush their aspirations for freedom and independence.

Israeli Occupation hinders Palestinian independence

Fares told the delegation, "The main problem facing the Palestinian people today is the presence and continuation of the occupation," stressing that this claim is no "justification" for the "failure" of Palestinians to "establish" an "independent Palestinian state". 

"On the contrary, all the practices and activities on Palestinian land by the occupation army confirm that this occupation is the cause of all failures and suffering," faced by the Palestinian people, Fares highlighted before emphasizing that "this is evident from the killing and destruction" faced by Palestinians on a daily basis.

The head of the Society further explained that the international community should have, many years ago, supported the Palestinian people and recognized their right to live like all other nations. However, the double standards applied by the US and multiple European countries have given rise to a distorted entity in "Israel," fueled by hatred, violence, and racism. This distortion is connected to interests and ambitions that are unmistakably connected to regional interests that extend across the Middle East.

Palestinian Prisoners face worsening circumstances

Fares discussed the significant changes that have taken place in the dynamics of the prisoners' movement, highlighting the escalating pressure on Palestinian detainees. These changes, which have been exacerbated since October 7, 2023, aimed to undermine the resilience and determination of the steadfast Palestinians, whose rights are being violated while the international community remains conspicuously silent.

Fares also briefed the delegation on the deteriorating conditions of prisons and detention centers, emphasizing that Palestinians being held by the Israeli occupation are currently experiencing their most challenging conditions.

Read more: 10,500 arrests during 2023, including 1000 children: PPC

The Israeli occupation has been violating prisoners' rights with a green light from the occupation government through laws approved by the occupation's government. There exists an open license and significant leeway for occupation officers and soldiers to mishandle prisoners and commit vile transgressions. This situation presents an ongoing threat to the lives of Palestinian prisoners on a daily basis.

The head of the Society further explained that the measures taken by the occupation's prison administration against male and female prisoners in various Israeli occupation prisons are a clear testament to the occupier's criminality and its policies.

These actions, according to Fares, include the closure of all rooms for prisoners, preventing them from accessing the prison yard. The authorities also confiscated electronic devices, and withdrew all blankets and clothing, leaving only one set of clothing for each prisoner. Additionally, they shut down the canteen, waged a campaign against them regarding drinking water, leaving them thirsty, deprived them of bathing, and transferred leadership figures within the prisoner movement to solitary confinement, subjecting them to harsh and brutal beatings.

Threats amplify amid hopeful expectations

Fares presented several cases of detention campaigns carried out by the occupation since October 7th, with more than 6,000 cases, including 355 children and 300 women. Hundreds, if not thousands have been arrested from the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of "Israel's" genocidal war on the Strip.

Significantly, Fares also underscored that the Israeli occupation conceals the places of detention as well as the conditions of the prisoners. Notably, it has also been reported that the occupation has executed seven prisoners, as they were beaten to death during interrogation.

He expressed hope that the delegation, consisting of representatives from eight European countries, would play a crucial role in reaching out to local European communities to form a pressure lobby that advocates for the Palestinian cause. Fares also urged the delegation to build on empathy with the Palestinian people through activities and events that exert pressure on official governments to change their stance on all aspects regarding the Palestinian cause.

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