Dozens of Palestinian detainees in Ofer Israeli detention facility were injured last night after an Israeli army special force broke into the branches of the facility, sprayed gas at the detainees and fired rubber-coated bullets.
Dozens of detainees suffocated after inhaling, while others were injured after the soldiers attacked and hit them with the batons and weapons.
Detainees in Ofer informed the Detainees Media Center that at least 100 Israeli soldiers, members of a unit called “Unit 100” broke into sections 1, 2 and 6, after the detainees protested against confining several detainees from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, to solitary in central prisons.
Soldiers attacked Abdul-Rahim Mallouh, the jailed member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, assistant of the secretary general of the Popular Front, and severely punched him causing a fraction in his lower jaw.
Mallouh, and another detainee identified as Nidal Abu Aqel were taken later on to an unknown location in the detention facility.
The clashes erupted at the facility after the soldiers broke into it and transferred Mohammad Al Qassas, and another detainee, identified as Yamin, both members of the Popular Front, to solitary confinement.
The Palestinian News agency, WAFA, reported that at least 25 detainees were injured during the clashes. Some of them were moved to the prison clinic.
Soldiers used hot fire-cannons against the detainees, and fired rubber-coated bullets which have a chemical material that burns the skin.
The military assault completely damaged section 6, and caused significant damage in sections 1 and 2; six tents where burnt. Clothes and bed covers were also burnt; soldiers destroyed several beds and personal belongings; at least 32 detainees were injured.
Two detainees, identified as Mohammad Al Khateeb, and Loay Jwareesh, were moved to solitary after the clashes.
Fateh movement, the P.A ruling party, slammed the military attack and the administration in Ofer for the recent escalation against the detainees, and violating their rights by hitting and firing at them, in addition to confining them to solitary for long periods.
The movement demanded the International humanitarian organization, and the Red Cross to interfere and act in order to end the military escalation and violations to the rights of the detainees.
