Number of Palestinian prisoners soars

The number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails soared to more than 7,000, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Centre (PPC) said, noting that 2,400 were arrested over the last two months, Alamatonline.com reported yesterday.

According to the PPC, Israel authorities have recently opened two new departments in the Negev prison, which were built due to the increasing number of arrest campaigns.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities are planning to open a new department for female prisoners in Al-Damon prison.

The PPC said that more than 420 minors were among the prisoners, adding that the number of children inside Israeli jails has risen because they have been targeted during the ongoing Intifada. It said a number of the child detainees are wounded.

Twelve minors are being held under administrative detention, the centre explained.

There are thirty-eight female prisoners, five of whom are wounded, six minors, three over the age of 55, two who are being held under administrative detention and two who are still receiving treatment in Israeli hospitals as they were arrested after they were wounded, the PPC said.

It explained that Palestinian prisoners are held under harsh conditions, mistreated, undergo harsh interrogations and live in crowded cells.