On February 10, 2024, in the Israeli prison of Megiddo, a prominent Palestinian prisoner, Ahmad Manasra, was assaulted for the third time in a month, according to his family. The incidents have sparked outrage and concern among Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups and human rights organizations.
“Something fundamental had shifted,” said Manasra’s sister, Jelan Manasra, in an interview from their family home in Jerusalem, describing the change in her brother’s condition after the repeated assaults.
Manasra, 26, has been serving a 10-year sentence since 2015 for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli civilian. The family and their lawyer claim that the recent assaults are a result of increased tensions and harsher treatment of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli prison authorities.
The first incident occurred on January 5, when Manasra was reportedly beaten by prison guards during a cell search. On January 20, he was assaulted again, this time by a group of prisoners, allegedly with the knowledge of the prison authorities. The most recent incident happened on February 10, when Manasra was beaten and injured by prison guards while being transferred to a different cell.
His family and lawyer have expressed concern over Manasra’s physical and mental well-being, citing a significant decline in his health since the assaults began.
Israeli prison authorities have not commented on the specific incidents, but have stated that they take the safety and security of all prisoners seriously. However, human rights groups argue that the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons is often inhumane and violates international law.
In recent years, there have been numerous reports of Palestinian prisoners being subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including beatings, solitary confinement, and deprivation of basic necessities.
The economic impact of these incidents on the families of prisoners should not be underestimated, with the average cost of supporting a prisoner in Israel being around $500 per month, a significant burden for many Palestinian families.
The assault on Manasra has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the Israeli prison system in maintaining order and protecting the rights of prisoners. As the situation in the region continues to deteriorate, the international community is watching closely to see how Israel will address these concerns and ensure the humane treatment of all prisoners.
What happens next in Manasra’s case, and how Israel responds to the growing criticism of its treatment of Palestinian prisoners, will be crucial in determining the course of events in the coming months.