Thousands of Palestinian prisoners face winter without blankets
Rights group warns 9,400 detainees face worsening conditions, restricted medical care and inadequate clothing amid prolonged Israeli prison restrictions
RAMALLAH, Palestine (MNTV) — Around 9,400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails face winter without adequate clothing, blankets or heating, according to a prisoners’ rights organization that warned of worsening living conditions and growing health risks inside detention facilities.
According to Middle East Monitor, the Palestine Centre for Prisoners Studies said Israeli authorities had continued restricting prisoners’ access to clothing and blankets since October 2023, while suspending visits and preventing international organizations from delivering essential supplies.
Riyad al-Ashqar, director of the center, said prison conditions had deteriorated as authorities restricted access to basic necessities and confiscated personal belongings. Prison canteens, where detainees previously purchased essential items, had also been closed, further limiting access to everyday supplies.
The restrictions reportedly extend to international humanitarian organizations. Al-Ashqar said Israeli authorities had barred organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, from delivering clothing to Palestinian prisoners.
According to the center, prison authorities have also removed mattresses and remaining blankets from rooms and cells during the day, leaving detainees with limited protection against cold conditions as winter approaches.
Prisoners have reportedly been forced to wear the same clothes and use the same blankets for prolonged periods without adequate opportunities to wash or replace them. The lack of clean clothing, combined with inadequate medical care, has contributed to the spread of skin diseases, particularly scabies, the organization said.
The reported conditions raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the denial of basic necessities essential to maintaining health and human dignity. Access to adequate clothing, bedding, sanitation, and medical treatment is fundamental to humane detention.
Restrictions on family visits and humanitarian access also reduce opportunities for independent scrutiny of prison conditions. The reported exclusion of international organizations, including the Red Cross, makes transparent monitoring and accountability especially important.
The approaching winter adds urgency to concerns over prisoners’ welfare. Exposure to cold, prolonged use of unwashed clothing and insufficient medical treatment can compound existing illnesses and increase the suffering of detainees already living under restrictive conditions.
The Palestine Centre for Prisoners Studies called attention to the deterioration of living standards and the continued denial of essential supplies. Its warning renews pressure on Israeli authorities to ensure adequate clothing, bedding, heating and healthcare for all detainees.
The allegations also underscore the need for independent access to detention facilities and effective oversight of prison conditions.
Authorities responsible for detention must meet their obligations to protect prisoners’ health and ensure that restrictions do not amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
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