Prominent Palestinian prisoner
Marwan Barghouti, one of the most prominent Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, was allegedly beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards during a transfer between facilities last month, according to claims made by his family.
Barghouti, 66, is serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks during the Second Intifada. His family alleges that on 14 September, while being transferred from Ganot Prison in central Israel to Megiddo Prison in the north, he was assaulted by eight prison guards.
According to his son, Arab Barghouti, five recently released Palestinian detainees provided testimony indicating that Barghouti had described being handcuffed, thrown to the ground, and severely beaten.
“They focused on his head, chest, and legs,” Arab said. “He remained unconscious for hours, was bleeding, and could barely walk afterward.”
The incident allegedly occurred in a corridor or area without surveillance cameras, raising concerns about possible systemic abuse and lack of oversight.
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) denied the allegations, stating in a response to international media:
“These are false claims. The Israel Prison Service operates in accordance with the law, while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates.”
Barghouti, often dubbed the “Palestinian Mandela” by supporters, was convicted in 2004 of planning attacks that killed five Israeli civilians. Despite his incarceration, he remains a widely respected figure among Palestinians and is regarded by many as a unifying leader capable of bridging divides between factions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The claims surfaced shortly after a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas earlier this week. Arab Barghouti said the testimonies came from detainees released as part of that deal. His father, whose name topped Hamas’s list of prisoners sought in exchange for Israeli hostages, was excluded from the swap a point of contention in Palestinian circles.
Barghouti’s condition following the alleged assault is currently unclear, and rights organizations have yet to gain access to verify the family’s claims.
Human rights groups and international observers have previously raised concerns about treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, particularly amid heightened tensions in the region.
