Israeli forces are detaining pregnant Palestinian women

The Israeli army has detained at least two pregnant women in Damoun prison since 7 October – according to The Palestinian Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners.

Writing on Telegram, the group stated that the two women, Jihad Nakhlah and Aysha Ghidan, are among seven detainees currently under investigation by Israeli forces.

Overall, there are currently 78 female detainees held in Damoun prison, including three from the Gaza Strip.

The group also revealed that the women are subject to abuses including starvation and isolation.

“They have been completely isolated from the outside world, and deprived of their simplest rights such as clothes and medical care in spite of the seriousness of health conditions for those who have chronic diseases,” The Palestinian Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners said in its statement.

“Furthermore, they are subjected to physical abuse and suppression since the beginning of their arrest, in addition to sexual harassment during strip search and other threats,” adding the policy of abuse and punishments against female detainees has increased intensely since 7 October.

Experts for the United Nations called for an independent probe into Israeli abuses against Palestinian women and girls, including killings, rapes and sexual assault, pointing out the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women and girls.

Palestinian women released from Israeli jails have told The New Arab that they were further deprived of water, electricity, sunlight and medical treatment after Israel launched its war on Gaza.

The Palestinian Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners also noted that the army intends to “crack down on female detainees as summer approaches with soaring temperatures” by closing rooms with no ventilation and confiscating fans.

Rooms are also overcrowded, and the jailers intend to close the narrow window of each door to prevent air from passing through.

The Palestine Prisoner’s Society reported that there are almost 9,300 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centres, including approximately 250 child prisoners and 75 female prisoners.

While 3,400 Palestinians are placed under “administrative detention”, which allows Palestinians to be detained without charge or trial.