The Palestine Center for Prisoners Studies has warned that the suffering of approximately 9,400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons could worsen as winter approaches, amid the continued denial of winter clothing, blankets, and heating facilities for more than three years.
The center’s director, Riyad al-Ashqar, said the Israeli occupation authorities had prevented prisoners from obtaining clothing and blankets since October 7, 2023, while visits were suspended and the prison canteens, where prisoners relied on purchasing their basic necessities, were closed.
According to the statement, the prison administration confiscated prisoners’ personal belongings, including clothing and blankets, and removed mattresses and the remaining bedding from rooms and cells during daylight hours.
He added that using the same clothing and blankets for prolonged periods without being able to wash or replace them had contributed to the spread of skin diseases, particularly scabies, amid a shortage of medical care and treatment.