Israeli violations against Palestinians increase, leading to the death of Palestinians inside Israeli prisons. The detainee Raafat Adnan Abdel Aziz Abu Funouneh, 34, from Gaza died inside the occupation prisons, as a result of torture and deliberate medical neglect. His death brought the number of prisoners’ deaths to 60 since the beginning of October 7, which is the largest number recorded in a short period of time.
Abu Funouneh was arrested on October 7, 2023, along with his brother Shadi, and was injured during the arrest. The occupation prevented his family from visiting him, despite his deteriorating health condition. He was transferred to Ramla Prison then to Assaf Harofeh Hospital before his death was announced on February 26, 2025. Prior to his arrest, he was healthy and did not suffer from any chronic diseases.
The total number of prisoners’ deaths since 1967 has risen to 297, while dozens of detainees, especially from the Gaza Strip, remain forcibly disappeared, as the occupation refuses to reveal their fate or provide any information about their health conditions.
Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons are subjected to brutal torture, deliberate starvation, and deprivation of basic medical care, which is a form of a slow killing, while international silence perpetuates the occupation’s impunity.
A video statement by one of the prisoners released on Thursday night as part of the prisoner exchange deal between the occupation and Gaza, ahowed him saying that Palestinian prisoners are “in danger.”
He stressed that the prisoners are subjected to severe torture and deprivation of food, and sent a message to the Palestinians saying “forget about buildings, food or drink, but never forget about the prisoners.”
The occupation prisons recorded the highest number of deaths in a short period of time, as detention has become a tool for slow killing, in the absence of international control or oversight as the occupation refuses to allow visits by human rights organisations to follow up on the conditions of prisoners.
The continued detention of thousands in inhumane conditions, and their continued exposure to physical and psychological violations, will lead to more deaths among prisoners, with the aggravation of crimes that directly target their lives.
Human rights calls are increasing for immediate international action to stop violations against Palestinian prisoners, open independent investigations into torture and deliberate medical neglect, and hold the occupation accountable for its ongoing crimes against prisoners.
The international silence on these crimes contributes to the occupation’s continued systematic killings in prisons, which requires urgent international pressure to ensure the protection of prisoners and save the rest before it is too late.
