From Inside Negev Prison

Testimonies document starvation , medical neglect , and daily abuse

August 4, 2025

A lawyer from the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs has visited a number of Palestinian detainees held in Negev Prison to assess their medical and living conditions. During the visit, he met with detainee Amro Mohammad Mansour (38 years old), from the town of Beitunia/Ramallah, who has been held under administrative detention since January 28, 2025.

Mansour stated that he was placed under administrative detention without any investigation or knowledge of the reasons for his arrest. His detention has been extended twice for 6 months and he has yet to receive a copy of the latest confirmation order.

Regarding his health, Mansour explained that he suffers from chronic migraines and has experienced repeated pain while in detention without receiving the necessary treatment, despite the prison authorities being fully aware of his condition. He also reported being infected with scabies and developing boils, yet no adequate medical care has been provided. Even when transferred to the prison clinic, his name is merely registered without receiving any real treatment.

The Commission's lawyer also visited several other detainees, who confirmed they are in stable health. They are:

1. Mohammad Raed Atoun (22 years old) from Sur Baher/Jerusalem, serving a two year sentence since January 27, 2025.

2. Ahmad Abdul Mohsen Suleiman (27 years old) from Beit 'Ur/Ramallah, held under administrative detention since June 30, 2024.

3. Yaqoub Mustafa Omar Hussein (32 years old) from Al-Jalazon Refugee Camp/Ramallah, under administrative detention since November 5, 2023.

4. ⁠Yamen Mohammad As’ad Abu Bakr (19 years old) from Ya’bad/Jenin, under administrative detention since January 15, 2024.

As for the general conditions inside Negev Prison, they are described as unprecedented. Detainees live in a constant state of fear and anxiety due to frequent transfers, the absence of stability, and the denial of the minimum requirements for a dignified life. They are subjected to degrading treatment, humiliating searches, and harsh punitive measures, including being handcuffed from behind and forced to kneel during inspections.
Food portions have been significantly reduced, and sanitation is virtually non-existent.

Moreover, rooms are overcrowded, each housing between 10 to 12 detainees, effectively turning them into prison cells. There is a severe shortage of blankets, clothing, and other basic supplies. Recreational time is granted only once every one to two weeks, for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes, barely enough time to take a shower.

The food provided is insufficient and unfit for consumption, leading to dramatic weight loss among detainees, ranging from 20 to 30 kilograms. The prison sections also lack basic necessities such as sugar, salt, tea, coffee, cigarettes, medication, canned food, and even hot water.