Watchdog: Over 3300 Palestinians arrested during COVID-19 pandemic

Ramallah (QNN)- The Palestinian Prisoners Association said Israeli forces have arrested over 3300 Palestinians since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. the arrests included women, children, elderlies, patients, and wounded Palestinians.

In a statement issued today, the association added that the occupation state is using the pandemic as a repression tool against prisoners; although of the increase in COVID-19 patients inside Israeli jails, Israeli authorities continued its daily arrests policy.

It also stated that the highest rate of arrests was in June with 469 arrests. Meanwhile, 140 COVID-19 cases have been registered since April.

In the same context, Israeli measures caused COVID-19 cases to rise among prisoners. There are concerns that more cases could have been registered during November.

The statement called for an objective international medical committee to monitor the conditions inside Israeli jails and make sure that all measures are taken to prevent the spread of the virus and protect Palestinian prisoners.