Ramallah – Saba:
The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported Thursday that female prisoner Fidaa Assaf, who is currently held in the Israeli-run Damon prison, is suffering from an aggressive progression of cancer due to the harsh and inhumane detention conditions faced by female prisoners there.
During a visit by the commission’s lawyer, Assaf explained that her condition had been stable prior to her arrest. However, recent medical tests showed a significant deterioration in her health, with the disease markers increasing from 1.000 to 5.000, according to Sanad News Agency.
Assaf revealed that female prisoners are deprived of basic rights, including access to hygiene and sanitary supplies, personal healthcare, and sufficient clothing. They are also denied the ability to buy essential items from the prison canteen.
Regarding time allowed outside the cells (“fura”), the prison administration had entirely prohibited it until just a few days ago, when it was reinstated for only 20 minutes a day.
Assaf confirmed that the prisoners are completely isolated from the outside world, especially during the Israeli prison system’s state of emergency, during which lawyers were barred from visiting detainees.
Currently, there are 42 female prisoners in Damon prison, all subjected to sudden nighttime searches by Israeli guards. Among them are Zahraa Kawazba and Doaa Badawi, both in their seventh month of pregnancy, facing extreme hardship due to the lack of proper healthcare, food, and rest.
Assaf detailed her own arrest, which occurred while returning from medical tests at Ramallah Medical Complex. She was subjected to multiple strip searches, verbal abuse, and was held in a filthy, insect-infested cell lacking food and water.
Fidaa Assaf was arrested on February 24 and is a resident of Kafr Laqif near Qalqilya. She is married and a mother.