Palestinian prisoner held under harsh condition in Israeli jails

Ramallah (QNN)- Israeli occupation authorities have isolated a Palestinian prisoner, who has a broken pelvis, under harsh conditions in Gilbo’a prison, the Palestinian Detainees and Ex-detainees’ Commission said in a report on Wednesday.

The commission stated the occupation authorities have isolated Haitham Ibrahim Balal, 32-year-old, from Yatta village, south of Hebron, in Gilbo’a prison, under harsh alarming conditions.

Balal was shot by the Israeli occupation forces in May 2020, near the Qalandia military checkpoint, and he stayed for a while in the intensive care of the “Shaare Zedek” hospital, then he was transferred to Ramla Hospital and then to Gilbo’a prison.

The commission said that Balal has a broken pelvis as a result of his injury, and his condition requires special medical care, as he lives now with a colostomy bag.

The commission pointed out that after Balal was transferred to the Gilbo’a prison, he refused to enter the public sections as they were not suitable for his health condition.

As a punishment for his refusal, the Israeli prison administration has placed him in isolation cells, deprived him of “Cantina”, and prevented him from contacting his family.

The commission held the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the life of the prisoner, Balal, noting that his health condition became more difficult.

The commission also urged to intensify the legal efforts to transfer the prisoner to a section appropriate to his difficult health condition and to end his isolation.

There are 4500 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails, among them 37 women, 140 children, 45 held in administrative detention, 11 suffering from cancer, and 300 have chronic diseases.