Human rights groups urge WHO to address Palestinian health crisis in Israeli jails

Three Palestinian prisoners’ rights groups - Addameer, the Prisoners’ Club, and the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs - have demanded immediate intervention from the World Health Organisation (WHO) over the deteriorating health conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

This organisations singled out:

• Disease outbreaks: Scabies, amoebic infections, severe skin diseases, chronic diarrhoea, and persistent vomiting were prominent amongst detainees, citing systematic medical neglect

• Deaths in custody: At least 65 Palestinian prisoners have died, including a child who succumbed to illness and starvation. Outbreaks are concentrated in Negev, Megiddo, Gilboa, and Ofer prisons

• Children at risk: Young detainees in Ofer prison have untreated skin conditions, with no access to basic hygiene or medical care.

• Systematic abuse: The groups accuse Israel of "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" by withholding healthcare, calling for urgent international action.

Together the organisations urged the WHO to put pressure on Israel to:

• Follow international health standards and the Geneva Conventions

• Provide essential medicines, emergency care, and hospital transfers

• Allow independent medical oversight in prisons

• Hold Israel accountable for violations.