Detainee Qusay Alian endures serious health conditions in Gilboa Prison amid deliberate medical neglect
27 September 2026
Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported that detainee Qusay Alian, a resident of the occupied Jerusalem town of Issawiya, is enduring severe suffering in Gilboa Prison. He suffers from lung disease, asthma, and shortness of breath, and is serving a 14-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He was arrested on 14 December 2021 and has since been transferred between several prisons, during which he lost 16 kilograms of weight. His body is also covered with boils.
Regarding the circumstances of his arrest, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said in a report issued today, Sunday, that Israeli occupation forces blew up the door of his home and then took him to the al-Moskobiya interrogation center, where he was subjected to a strip search. This was followed by some of the most difficult days of his interrogation, which would only stop when he was allowed to use the bathroom.
He also spent 20 days in solitary confinement during the interrogation in a cell unfit for human habitation. The cell had no windows and was extremely dark, while its walls were covered with protrusions that made it difficult to lean against them. It was painted dark gray and contained a dirty mattress consisting of a piece of plastic that provided no comfort, with no pillow.
Alian told the Commission’s lawyer that after his interrogation at al-Moskobiya ended, he was transferred to Megiddo Prison, where he was again subjected to a strip search before being taken to the prison section. According to his testimony, he remained in Megiddo Prison for approximately four months before being transferred to Nafha Prison. Following the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip, he was transferred to Shatta Prison, where he remained for nearly two years before being transferred to Gilboa Prison, where he continues to be held to this day.
He also reported that he was subjected to severe beatings, verbal abuse, and threats that his brother’s home would be demolished during the transfers between prisons.
He describes the detention conditions in Gilboa as extremely difficult, particularly due to severe overcrowding. Some detainees are forced to sleep on the floor because there is insufficient space. Food is scarce and poor in both quantity and quality, and is insufficient to meet their nutritional needs, resulting in most detainees losing weight. They are also prohibited from speaking with detainees held in other rooms.
Alian requires prescription eyeglasses, examination by a specialist, and the necessary medical tests to monitor his lung condition, asthma, shortness of breath, boils, and weight loss.
Visits by his lawyers take place while he is handcuffed behind his back and shackled, with his head bowed. He is required to speak with his lawyer by telephone through a glass barrier.