ALBAWABA - Two Palestinian detainees, including Nablus Hamas commander Samih Alawi, have died in Israeli captivity, raising worries about medical mistreatment. The Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission and Prisoners' Club announced the deaths Friday.
After his arrest in Negev Prison, Samih Alawi, 61, died on November 6 after being moved from Ramla Prison's medical clinic to Assaf Harofeh Hospital. His death was not disclosed by Israeli jail officials, violating their requirements.
Anwar Shaaban Mohammed Aslim, another Gaza prisoner, died Thursday during a transport from Negev Prison to Soroka Hospital. He suddenly became sick despite having no pre-existing problems before imprisonment.
Both detainees claimed widespread medical negligence in Israeli jails. Alawi has been in administrative detention since October 2023 despite needing urgent treatment for a minor intestinal malignancy. His health deteriorated owing to poor medical treatment. Aslim was jailed in December 2023 without previous health concerns.
The Prisoners' Affairs Commission and Prisoners' Club said the deaths were part of a culture of "slow killing" and purposeful neglect in Israeli jails. Al Jazeera reported on these dire allegations, highlighting human rights organizations' mounting worries over Palestinian inmate abuse.
The executions of Alawi and Aslim raise the total to 280 Palestinian detainees killed in Israeli captivity since 1967. Al Jazeera reports 43 fatalities since October 7, 2023. Israeli captivity of nearly 10,200 Palestinians includes enforced disappearances.
Health concerns have deteriorated Israeli jail conditions. Scabies has spread at Negev Prison due to unsanitary circumstances and lack of medical care. Al Jazeera described these dehumanizing circumstances as planned.
The killings come amid Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza has had nearly 147,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries since October 7, 2023, with massive damage and starvation worsening the situation. According to Palestinian officials, Israeli settlers and military forces have killed 783 Palestinians and injured and detained hundreds throughout the West Bank.
