Palestinian detainees face religious suppression, abuse during Ramadan
Reports indicate that detainees are being denied basic rights, including group prayers, adequate food, medical care, and contact with their families.
Prison authorities have banned communal prayers, confiscated copies of the Quran, and prohibited Tarawih prayers, a key Ramadan tradition. These restrictions have been accompanied by harsh crackdowns, including night raids, humiliating searches, and physical abuse, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Beyond religious suppression, detainees are subjected to dire living conditions. Meals for Suhoor and Iftar, essential meals for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, are reportedly inadequate, often cold, dry, and even spoiled, leaving detainees to endure hunger and malnutrition. Their cells remain dark and overcrowded, depriving them of the dignity and comfort essential for fasting.
In addition to physical hardships, detainees are completely cut off from the outside world. They are denied phone calls, letters, and family visits, leaving them isolated during a time when connection with loved ones is most cherished. The suffering is further compounded by medical neglect, as sick detainees are left without treatment or medication, forced to endure their pain in silence.
According to the prisoners' media office, systematic psychological and physical torture continues, reinforcing a cycle of dehumanization and oppression.
The Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission reported that female prisoners in "Damoun" prison are enduring severe hardships under harsh detention conditions, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan.
According to testimonies from Palestinian female detainees shared with the Commission's lawyer, the prison management provided them with incorrect times for Iftar during Ramadan, in addition to serving spoiled and insufficient food.
Among those affected by the harsh conditions is detainee Noor Mohamed, a 23-year-old from Nablus who has been held in "Damoun" prison since Dec. 5, 2024. During the visit, Noor shared that conditions in the prison, especially during Ramadan, are extremely poor.
She mentioned that the female prisoners are not provided with a Suhoor meal, and their rooms are frequently searched almost daily during Suhoor hours. They are also taken out for recreation in the early morning hours when the weather is very cold.
The Commission's statement also revealed that Karmel Khawaja, a 19-year-old detainee from Nalin who has been detained since March 2, 2025, reported similar dire conditions in the prison, including a significant shortage of clothing.
Furthermore, Fadwa Assaf, 49, from Qalqilya, who suffers from blood cancer, has not been seen by a specialist doctor or taken to a hospital since her arrest two weeks ago. Despite a court order issued on March 6, 2025, instructing the prison administration to provide her with medical treatment, the prison deliberately withholds her daily medication. Fadwa also complained about the poor quality and quantity of food served in the prison.
Another detainee shared concerns regarding harassment from female guards during invasive body searches, particularly during the Suhoor hours. Additionally, the management had informed them of incorrect Iftar times, stating that Maghrib prayer would be at 5:30 PM, and routinely conducted searches during Suhoor, throwing their meals on the ground.
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