العربية
HE
العربية
HE
On January 7, 2025, HaMoked wrote the Military Advocate General (MAG) regarding the incarceration conditions of detainees from the Gaza Strip who are held in Ofer military camp in the West Bank (this is a separate facility, adjacent to the Ofer prison administered by the Israel Prison Service). HaMoked noted that for over a year now it has been following with concern the measures taken against Palestinian inmates classified as security inmates, including those held in military facilities and camps pursuant to the Incarceration of Unlawful Combatants Law. HaMoked noted that this law, as well as Israeli case law and international law, require that inmates be held in proper conditions that do not cause harm to their health or dignity. HaMoked asserted that at Ofer camp, the military clearly ignores the unequivocal ruling of the High Court of Justice (HCJ) in the case concerning the conditions in the Sde Teiman facility, whereby, Israel must hold inmates as required by law, irrespective of the reasons for their incarceration.
In visits to inmates at Ofer camp, and similar to the conditions in Anatot camp, HaMoked’s attorneys heard of incarceration conditions that are extremely harsh and are far from the required minimum standard. The conditions not only violate human rights and inmates’ rights, but in many cases may constitute torture.
At the meetings with HaMoked’s attorneys, inmates were hungry, inappropriately clothed, some were barefoot, while others were violently dragged into the meeting cell, bound hand and foot, and blindfolded. In fact, all of the inmates met by HaMoked’s attorneys were left bound hand and food throughout the meeting, despite the tight security and the fact that the cell door was closed. The inmates reported that their hands and feet were bound round the clock even when they were shut in their cells. They had to sleep, eat and use the bathroom while handcuffed (removed only for a few minutes’ shower once or twice a week). The constant binding causes wounds in the joints and numbness in the hands and can even cause nerve damage to the hands. Moreover, the fact that inmates are prevented from functioning independently and carrying out normal daily activities for prolonged periods causes extreme mental anguish amounting to torture. In its appeal, HaMoked clarified that binding should be used for a minimal period of time and according to the stipulations and in any event, not when the inmate is locked in the cell.
Inmates also reported violence and humiliation by soldiers, who ordered them, among other things, to lie face down every time the guards walked in the passages and punished them for requesting food, medical care or essential items. Food is reportedly supplied in poor quality, without variety and in insufficient amounts. Ill inmates who require a specific eating regimen did not receive suitable food. HaMoked asserted that there is grave concern that this is a deliberate policy of malnourishment as a means of torture.
An additional health problem is the outbreak of a scabies epidemic in Ofer camp as in other incarceration facilities, which has not been addressed properly – although it is highly treatable and requires simple medical care and allowing inmates to maintain basic hygiene and supplying them with sufficient changes of beddings and clothes. Medical care is in general unavailable or flawed, including a case of a diabetic inmate who reported he underwent surgery while blindfolded and without being informed about the nature of the procedure. The cells are exceedingly overcrowded, and inmates reported they had to lie on the floor without a mattress. As stated above, a shower is allowed only once or twice a week for just a few minutes, without a sufficient supply of soap. Inmates do not receive cleaning supplies to keep the toilet area sanitary, nor enough toilet paper. The same goes for toothbrushes, shoes, writing materials and so on. In addition, inmates are locked in their cells day and night and not allowed out to the prison yard.
HaMoked ended its letter saying the military’s conduct turned the HCJ case law into a dead letter and demanded that the MAG take immediate action in the matter.
