Palestinians protest abuse of detainees held by Israel

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Hundreds of Palestinians on Tuesday demonstrated in the occupied West Bank to show solidarity with Palestinians languishing in Israeli prisons.

Separate demonstrations were held simultaneously in the West Bank cities of Al-Bireh, Tulkarm, Jenin and Salfit.

Some protesters held photos of incarcerated relatives, demanding their immediate release.

“Inmates are subject to frequent abuses by the Israeli authorities,” Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Association, an NGO, told Anadolu Agency.

“Dozens of injured Palestinian prisoners were recently forced to spend the night handcuffed without mattresses or adequate medical care,” Fares said on the sidelines of one demonstration held outside the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Al-Bireh.

On Sunday, prison wardens at several Israeli detention facilities reportedly assaulted a number of Palestinian inmates, according to local reports.

According to the Prisoners Association, the incident left dozens of inmates injured.

More than 6,000 Palestinians are believed to be languishing in Israeli detention facilities, including numerous women and children and a handful of lawmakers.