Ramallah – Saba:
The Palestinian Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority reported that several sick Palestinian prisoners in the Zionist entity's Negev Desert Prison, located in the south of occupied Palestine, are enduring extremely harsh conditions. These conditions have worsened since the start of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, and continue to deteriorate daily.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Authority stated that its lawyer visited prisoner Ahmad Abu Matouq (27 years old) from the town of Tubas in the northern West Bank. Abu Matouq has been suffering from scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei) for an entire year and received no treatment until two months ago. However, his condition has not improved—instead, his health has further declined, with boils spreading all over his body.
The Authority noted that Abu Matouq suffers from general weakness, difficulty walking, and deteriorating eyesight, which caused him to fall in the bathroom a month ago, breaking his nose. Additionally, due to malnutrition, he has lost nearly 30 kilograms of his weight. Abu Matouq has been detained since July 2, 2002, and is serving a 27-year prison sentence.
The Authority also mentioned prisoner Saleh Hamed (41 years old) from the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah, who suffers from severe back pain and herniated discs. He was also infected with scabies but has recently recovered.
Additionally, prisoner Bassam Salama from Nablus, detained since July 11, 2024, has been suffering from scabies and widespread boils since September 20, 2024. The Authority stated:
"Two days before the lawyer's visit, the prison administration provided him with treatment—a pill and two ointments. He feels slight improvement but has not yet recovered. Due to malnutrition, he has lost approximately 20 kilograms of his weight."
The Authority further reported that prisoner Ghasan Al-Sheikh Qasim (26 years old) from Nablus suffers from severe wisdom tooth pain extending to his jaw. He has repeatedly requested to be transferred to the clinic or given painkillers, but the prison administration has ignored his pleas.
Another prisoner, Firas Dar Al-Hajj from Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, is suffering from scabies, which causes intense itching and boils on his legs. He requires specialized medication, especially since he previously donated a kidney. Due to malnutrition, he has lost around 20 kilograms of his weight.
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