RAMALLAH: Palestinian minors held at Israel’s Megiddo prison are enduring harsh detention conditions that severely affect their lives, according to a report issued by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs on Sunday.
The commission’s lawyer said detainee Mohammed Arafat Sawafta from Tubas governorate, who has been held since June 17 last year, was battling multiple health problems including joint inflammation, a stomach virus and an eye infection. Although he received treatment for the eye infection, his condition remains serious, forcing him to use a walker.
The report added that all detainees have suffered significant weight loss due to inadequate nutrition, with the food provided falling far short of meeting their basic needs.
Describing the detention conditions, the commission’s lawyer said detainees are transferred while handcuffed despite repeated objections, making it difficult for them to sign documents or even hold the telephone used to communicate during legal visits. This turns meetings with lawyers into an exhausting experience lacking minimum standards.
The report said detainees at Megiddo prison also face shortages of cleaning supplies. Shower water is available for only one hour a day, and not on a regular basis. Similarly, the daily outdoor recreation period is limited to an hour and is not consistently granted. Drinking water is taken directly from taps, while each detainee is allowed only one set of clothing.
The commission said female Palestinian detainees at Israel’s Damon prison also continue to face ongoing violations by the prison administration. A visiting lawyer reported that Amna Suweilim, 55, from Nablus, who has been held since Nov. 3, 2025, described the conditions there as extremely harsh and difficult. The commission added that Suweilim suffers from shoulder pain caused by a torn tendon, in addition to thyroid problems and an abdominal muscle hernia.
The lawyer also gave the testimony of detainee Leila Khalil, 22, from Beitunia, west of Ramallah, who has been held since June 2 this year and who is in isolation. Khalil said prison conditions were “extremely poor” and the food provided was inadequate in terms of both quality and quantity.
She added the daily outdoor break period does not exceed an hour, with many female detainees unable to shower due to limited time.
