Family Reports Three Assaults on Palestinian Prisoner Marwan Barghouti in Past Month; Israeli Prison Service Denies Allegations

The family of Marwan Barghouti reported that the Palestinian prisoner was subjected to physical violence by Israeli prison guards on three occasions in the past month. Arab Barghouti, his son, told BBC News that he learned of the incidents from his father's Israeli lawyer. The Israeli Prison Service responded that the allegations are false and baseless.

Marwan Barghouti was arrested 24 years ago during the second intifada, a period of Palestinian uprising. An Israeli court convicted him of planning attacks that resulted in deaths among Israeli civilians. He is serving five life sentences plus 40 years in prison.

Barghouti founded the Tanzim, an armed group associated with the Fatah political faction. Opinion polls indicate that he remains the most popular Palestinian leader despite his imprisonment. He continues to serve as a member of the Fatah Central Committee.

Reported Incidents Barghouti's Israeli lawyer, Ben Marmarelli, visited him in Megiddo Prison three weeks ago and reported that guards entered the cell and used a guard dog against him.

Marmarelli stated that Barghouti was then beaten during a transfer to another facility. One week ago, in Ganot Prison, Marmarelli reported that Barghouti was beaten and experienced bleeding for more than two hours, with a request for medical care denied. The Israeli Prison Service stated that it is not aware of any such incidents in its facilities.

It added that all inmates receive medical treatment based on the judgment of medical officials and guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement for the past two and a half years. His family reported previous instances of beatings by guards, including one case resulting in four broken ribs and head injuries.

Broader Context of Detainee Conditions Since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the Gaza war, UN agencies and Israeli rights groups have reported increased claims of abuse against Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

These claims include beatings, sexual violence, starvation, and medical negligence. Dozens of Palestinians have died in detention, according to these reports. Human rights groups have attributed these issues to policies in Israeli facilities.

Some Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have advocated for stricter conditions. The Israeli Prison Service denies systematic abuse and states that individual misconduct is investigated. In September of the previous year, Israel's Supreme Court ruled that prisons were not providing sufficient food to Palestinian inmates and ordered improvements to conditions.

According to Israeli Prison Service figures, 9,560 Palestinians are currently held as security prisoners, including more than 3,500 in administrative detention without trial or charge. Last year, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a social media video of himself confronting Barghouti in his cell.

The video showed Barghouti appearing aged and thin, marking his first public appearance in years.

The United Nations Committee against Torture expressed concern last year over reports of organized and widespread torture and ill treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.