Former Palestinian Boy Recounts Abuse in Israeli Prison: Hurt, Scared, Now Free : Analysis

Mohammad Salhab Tamimi, an 18-year-old Palestinian, has been released after eight months in Israeli prisons. He was part of the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of an ongoing exchange deal. Tamimi had not been charged or processed during his time in prison and faced uncertainty and torment, especially since the start of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7. The Israeli prison guards warned him that he would be rearrested and put back into administrative detention if there was any sign of celebration upon his return. As a result, only his immediate family and some uncles were present to welcome him home. Tamimi’s release was preceded by mistreatment and abuse by the prison guards. He was kicked and dragged before being placed in a prisoner transfer vehicle called a “bosta,” where he was chained and had no access to food or drink for several hours. Other Palestinian prisoners have reported similar instances of beatings, denial of medical attention, and lack of basic necessities. Since October 7, at least six Palestinian prisoners have died or been killed in Israeli custody. As part of the exchange deal, Hamas released captives it had taken on October 7 in return for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli detention facilities. However, Israel has also continued to arrest Palestinians, with 133 people arrested since the agreement began. There have been reports of extreme overcrowding in Israeli prisons, with prisoners forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of beds. The prisoners also receive insufficient food, leading them to ration what little they have. Additionally, prison authorities prevent prisoners from using the prison yard and restrict their ability to make noise or communicate with the outside world. The overall treatment of the prisoners suggests that the Israeli occupation seeks to humiliate them.

Source: Aljazeera news: Hurt, scared but free now. Palestinian boy recalls abuse in Israeli prison