The Media Committee of the “Freedom and Dignity” hunger strike, has reported that the Israeli Prison Authority has transferred at least forty detainees from Ohali Kidar prison to several make-shift clinics.
A lawyer working for the Palestinian Prisoners Society managed to visit detainee Mohammad al-Ghoul, ongoing with the hunger strike for the 38th consecutive day, who informed him that many detainees are now facing life-threatening conditions.
Al-Ghoul said the prisons’ cells and rooms are infested with bugs, while the bedsheets given to the detainees are torn and very dirty.
He also stated that many detainees who were transferred to Ohali Kidar prison, on May 16th, remain unable to change even their underwears, and that the only clothing they have, are the dirty prison jumpsuits.
It is worth mentioning that dozens of detainees were recently transferred to hospitals, but Israel started moving them to makeshift field clinics, installed in front of prisons and detention centers.
On his part, the head of the Palestinian Detainees Committee, Issa Qaraqe, asked Arab members of Israeli Knesset to questions Israel’s Health Minister, about the readiness and capabilities of the make-shift clinics, especially since Israel intends to move all ailing the hunger striking detainees to these “clinics” instead of hospitalizing them.
“The so-called clinics lack basic supplies, medications and even any proper setting that would accommodate the seriously escalating health conditions of the hunger striking detainees,” Qaraqe stated, “The detainees require hospitalization, professional medical treatment, and checkups, especially since many suffer from heart conditions, liver and kidneys’ diseases and complications that require specialized medical treatment.”
Qaraqe’ added that the make-shift clinics, and Israel’s ongoing abuse and disregard of their legitimate rights, are subjecting the hunger striking detainees to imminent death.
“Israel’s Health Minister is conspiring with the Israeli Internal Security Minister by agreeing and helping with the establishment of these so-called clinics in front of many prisons,” the official said, “Such disregard of the basic rights of the detainees also violates all related international laws, and contradicts medical ethics.”
The official also called on the International Community to intervene without any delays, especially since many detainees could die at any given moment.
