Israel tortures detained Palestinian child aged 15: Rights group
Rights organization says 15-year-old suffered abuse and medical neglect in custody before being released in critical condition
RAMALLAH, Palestine (MNTV) — The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society has accused Israeli prison authorities of torturing and denying medical treatment to a 15-year-old Palestinian detainee, saying the case reflects what it described as a systematic policy of abuse and medical neglect against Palestinian prisoners.
The organization said Mohammed Musa Hamid, from the town of Tuqu’, southeast of Bethlehem, was arrested by Israeli forces on Feb. 25 and held in the juvenile section of Ofer Prison.
According to the group, he endured harsh detention conditions, including physical abuse, starvation and the denial of adequate medical care while in custody.
The society said Hamid developed scabies in April but alleged prison authorities refused to provide proper treatment, allowing the illness to worsen into severe skin infections.
His condition reportedly deteriorated further in July after he developed a high fever and was diagnosed with an acute urinary tract infection and elevated blood sugar levels.
According to the organization, Hamid was transferred to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center on July 20 but returned to prison less than 12 hours later despite his worsening health.
After his condition continued to decline, he was hospitalized again on July 25, where doctors found the infection had spread to several organs, including his heart and brain.
The group said Hamid underwent heart surgery on July 27 and later suffered neurological complications affecting parts of his body, including his right foot, which doctors may have to amputate.
It also alleged that he remained shackled to his hospital bed under Israeli guard throughout his treatment despite his critical condition.
Following intervention by the Israeli rights organization Physicians for Human Rights, Israeli authorities released Hamid on July 30, allowing his family to visit him for the first time since his detention, according to the society.
The organization said the teenager remains unconscious, on a ventilator and in intensive care as doctors monitor his condition.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society described the case as evidence of what it called Israel’s policy of delaying medical treatment for Palestinian detainees until their health reaches a critical stage, alleging that some prisoners are released only after their condition becomes life-threatening to avoid legal accountability.
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