GAZA, (PIC)
The Hamas Movement has warned of escalating violations against Palestinian female prisoners held in Israeli Damon Prison, describing the abuses as “war crimes that cannot be ignored” and calling for urgent international action to protect detainees.
In a statement on Monday, the Movement said testimonies from inside the prison indicate that female prisoners have been subjected to systematic repression and torture, including being forced to lie face-down, restrained from behind, beaten, kicked, and placed in solitary confinement.
Hamas said these practices reflect a “complete absence of moral and humanitarian standards.”
The Movement called for holding Israeli leaders accountable and to act swiftly to “rescue prisoners from prisons of death and torture,” stressing that such violations would not break their will or their pursuit of freedom.
Hamas also called on Palestinian factions, human rights organizations, women’s groups, and the public to intensify campaigns in support of prisoners and to push for their release.
In the same context, the Asra Media Office reported that female detainees in Damon Prison were subjected to more than ten assaults in April alone, describing the escalation as systematic.
According to the report, special Israeli units, particularly the “Nahshon” unit, conducted repeated raids on prison sections, using stun grenades and forcing prisoners to lie on the ground while restraining and assaulting them, often away from surveillance cameras. The raids also involved arbitrary isolation and forced transfers between cells.
The abuses extended beyond physical violence to include severe psychological pressure, compounded by harsh detention conditions that have negatively affected prisoners’ health.
The report noted that two pregnant detainees are being held under deteriorating health conditions, with one transferred to hospital amid a lack of adequate medical care.
Living conditions inside the prison have also worsened significantly, with severe overcrowding forcing some detainees to sleep on the floor and a lack of privacy, especially in cells with exposed sanitation facilities.
Restrictions have also been imposed on access to outdoor time and showers, with durations reduced, alongside acute shortages of hygiene supplies, clothing, including summer wear, and basic necessities.
Food provision was described as insufficient in both quantity and quality, leading to noticeable weight loss and health issues among detainees, including digestive diseases.
The report added that the constant presence of prison guards inside sections, particularly at night, creates a harsh environment, forcing detainees to remain fully clothed even while sleeping in hot conditions.
The Asra Media Office said the escalation reflects a deliberate policy aimed at breaking the will of female prisoners, calling on international human rights bodies to intervene immediately to halt the abuses and ensure their basic rights.