Image: MEE
A lawyer from the Commission of the Detainees Affairs reported that Palestinian detainee Marwan Barghouti was brutally assaulted by special units of the Israeli prison service during a visit to Megiddo Prison in September. The lawyer detailed that Barghouti faced severe beatings and was attacked with various forms of repression, leading to multiple injuries, including rib and limb damage, bleeding in his right ear, a wound on his right arm, and chronic back pain.
In the weeks following the incident, Barghouti has struggled with mobility, chest and back pain, and infections resulting from untreated wounds. His recovery has been complicated by a denial of medical treatment, which has exacerbated his condition.
This assault marks the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting Barghouti, who has been in solitary confinement since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. He has previously endured two brutal attacks within the last year—one in December at Ofer Prison and another on March 6 at Megiddo Prison. The Popular Campaign for the Release of Barghouti condemned the September assault, describing it as a continuation of the pattern of brutality aimed at causing significant and long-lasting harm.
The campaign has urged international institutions to intervene and protect Barghouti and other prisoners, citing the ongoing neglect and violence as violations of international law. They expressed concern that the lack of action from international human rights organizations encourages further aggression by Israeli authorities.
According to reports, conditions for Palestinian prisoners have worsened since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood last October. Barghouti, who has spent 24 years in prison and is seen as a unifying figure in Palestinian society, has reportedly been isolated with no means to treat his injuries. His attorney, Igal Dotan, noted that Barghouti is intentionally deprived of sleep and basic amenities, such as reading materials, since October.
Barghouti was imprisoned on five charges related to alleged murder and ordering attacks on civilians, charges he has consistently denied. Dotan highlighted that Barghouti's mental resilience remains strong, but his physical health is rapidly deteriorating, with concerns about his vision following the brutal beatings.
The Palestinian jail population has surged since October, with daily Israeli military raids contributing to overcrowding and reported abuses. Former detainees have described an environment rife with violence and a severe lack of necessities, including food, hygiene items, and medical care.
Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission, suggested that the increased violence against detainees, particularly Barghouti, may be motivated by Israeli authorities' desire to retaliate against Palestinians in the wake of recent events, viewing Barghouti as a potential future leader. Fares relayed accounts from Barghouti, including being beaten into unconsciousness, leading to visible bruising and constant pain.