Palestinian prisoners electrocuted, abused in 'Israel's' Gilboa prison

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
Today 15:43

Palestinian prisoners in Gilboa face electric shocks, beatings, and severe neglect amid escalating abuse by Israeli occupation forces.

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A resident walks next to a mural painting glorifying six Palestinian prisoners who tunneled out of Gilboa Prison in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)

Palestinian prisoners are being electrocuted, among more abusive forms of punitive actions, in "Israel's" Gilboa prison, the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees' Affairs confirmed on Friday.

According to a lawyer from the commission who visited the prison, Israeli occupation authorities have increased the use of torture with electricity.

Special repression units storm prisoner sections under the pretext of inspection, handcuff detainees by their wrists and ankles, and force them into the prison yard. There, prisoners are reportedly beaten, insulted, and subjected to electric shocks. They are then dragged across the concrete floors and forced into the shower area, where their clothes and bodies are soaked with water before being electrocuted again, amplifying pain and physical trauma.

The lawyer described the use of specialized stun guns, which double as blunt-force weapons. These are allegedly made of solid metal and have caused severe head injuries, leading to heavy bleeding among detainees. Prison guards were reported to have mocked and laughed during the abuse, with several prisoners losing consciousness due to the severity of the torture.

Neglect of basic needs and health threats

In addition to the physical abuse, prisoners are reportedly being denied adequate food. The portions provided are minimal, resulting in significant weight loss among detainees. There is also a critical shortage of hygiene supplies and disinfectants, creating a breeding ground for diseases inside overcrowded and poorly ventilated cells.

Detainees are forced to use plastic plates and spoons, each for an entire month, which increases the risk of virus and bacteria transmission with every use. According to the commission, these conditions pose a serious threat to prisoners' health and survival.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office recently revealed similarly harrowing conditions in Naqab prison, where detainees live under constant fear due to relentless transfers and degrading treatment.

The office reported that prisoners are frequently subjected to humiliating searches and forced to kneel with their hands bound behind their backs during daily headcounts and inspections. This ongoing repression has created an atmosphere of instability and psychological torment.

As of early July, the number of Palestinians held in Israeli occupation prisons has risen to approximately 10,800, marking the highest figure since the Second Intifada in 2000. This total does not include detainees held in occupation military camps, whose status remains largely unaccounted for.