Palestinian women suffer scabies outbreak inside Israeli prison
Damon Prison detainees report worsening symptoms as overcrowding, inadequate hygiene supplies and alleged healthcare failures raise concerns
RAMALLAH, Palestine (MNTV) — Two Palestinian women held at Israel’s Damon Prison are experiencing worsening health conditions after contracting scabies, according to Palestinian detainee affairs officials, who have said Israeli authorities failed to provide adequate medical care and hygienic living conditions.
According to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, Basmala Saad, 20, and Israa Huje, 31, were suffering from the parasitic skin infestation amid overcrowding and shortages of hygiene supplies affecting Palestinian prisoners since late 2023.
Saad, who was detained in March, developed blisters and swelling in her legs. The commission said she was placed in solitary confinement in October and received medication without improvement, raising concerns about the adequacy of the treatment available to her.
Huje, detained since February, has experienced intense itching and pain that have prevented her from sleeping.
The symptoms have added to concerns over the health of Palestinian women held in Israeli facilities and the conditions under which they receive medical treatment.
The commission also reported repeated raids on the women’s cells. During incidents on Oct. 7, Israeli forces allegedly fired tear gas and stun grenades inside the cells, exposing detainees to additional risks while they were already dealing with illness and inadequate living conditions.
Scabies is a contagious skin infestation that can spread rapidly in crowded environments where access to hygiene supplies, clean clothing and appropriate treatment is limited.
The reported outbreak has highlighted concerns about prison overcrowding and the ability of detainees to obtain timely medical attention.
The commission’s figures indicate that 9,300 Palestinians were being held in Israeli prisons. Among them were 91 women, 350 children and 3,101 administrative detainees, while 118 prisoners were serving life sentences.
The figures also include Palestinians detained in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
According to the commission’s reported statistics, Israeli authorities had detained 26,000 people in those territories since late 2023, including approximately 800 women and more than 2,000 children, most of whom were subsequently released.
The reported cases of Saad and Huje have intensified scrutiny of the treatment of Palestinian women in detention.
The allegations raise questions about access to healthcare, the use of solitary confinement and the risks associated with overcrowding and inadequate hygiene.
The commission has attributed the women’s deteriorating health to insufficient medical care and prison conditions. Independent verification of the individual allegations and a response from Israeli prison authorities were not included in the report.
The cases add to wider concerns over the treatment of Palestinian detainees amid the continuing consequences of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its operations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for detainees to receive appropriate medical care and protection from treatment that could endanger their health or dignity.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
