GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Palestinian Asra Media Office (AMO) has revealed new details about a large-scale crackdown carried out by Israeli prison authorities against Palestinian female detainees at Damon prison on May 13, describing it as involving physical and psychological abuse as well as degrading violations of human dignity.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Office said special prison units stormed the detainees’ cells one after another and forced the women to lie face down on the floor with their hands bound behind their backs for long hours before assaults, dragging, and other forms of mistreatment began.
According to the statement, several detainees were beaten, stepped on, and deliberately thrown to the ground during the raid. Cell searches were reportedly conducted under conditions described as humiliating and degrading.
The AMO added that some female detainees were forced to undergo searches in the presence of male guards and were subjected to beatings and excessively tightened restraints, causing injuries and physical effects that persisted long after the operation ended.
The statement further said that the women were transferred to the prison yard while handcuffed and blindfolded and forced to remain on the ground for extended periods in painful positions. It also said that some guards made insulting remarks and sexually suggestive comments during the crackdown.
According to the AMO, the repercussions continued in the days that followed, with some detainees subjected to punitive and retaliatory measures, including solitary confinement, prolonged shackling, harassment, and intimidation. The statement also cited the use of stun grenades, psychological pressure tactics, and forcing detainees to move barefoot and blindfolded under harsh conditions.
The Office stressed that the events at Damon prison constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and international standards governing the treatment of prisoners and detainees. It called on international human rights and humanitarian organizations to take urgent action to stop such violations, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure protection for Palestinian female prisoners.
