Israeli forces storm Ofer Prison, assault Palestinian detainees
Published February 16th, 2025 - 05:46 GMT
ALBAWABA - Israeli forces raided Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, on Sunday, attacking Palestinian detainees in their cells, according to sources reported by Al Jazeera. The Israeli Prison Service justified the raid by claiming detainees had "disrupted order by banging on doors." Also Read Trump sanctions ICC over probes targeting U.S. and Israel
The Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office, affiliated with Hamas, reported that Israeli suppression units violently stormed one of the prison sections, assaulting detainees with physical violence and tear gas. The office described these actions as "deeply concerning" and a continuation of systematic abuse inside Israeli prisons.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Prison Service stated that its forces used "necessary measures" against detainees and that the operation was still ongoing.
Al Jazeera's correspondent Najwan Samri warned that the raid could escalate tensions, particularly as negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement continue. She highlighted ongoing abuses against Palestinian detainees, emphasizing that former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led multiple crackdowns inside prisons, especially after October 7, 2023.
Additionally, Israeli authorities recently established a new detention wing specifically designed for elite Hamas prisoners, according to Al Jazeera.
🔴 حركة #حماس:📍 اقتحام وحدات القمع زنازين الأسرى الفلسطينيين في سجن "عوفر" غرب رام الله مساء اليوم، والاعتداء الوحشي عليهم، هو سلوك إجرامي همجي يعكس الطبيعة الفاشية والإرهابية للكيان المحتل.
📍 هذه الاعتداءات تأتي استكمالًا لمسلسل الوحشية والسادية بحق أسرانا، ومحاولة بائسة… pic.twitter.com/qdnErnaorI — تيسير البلبيسي (@Taysirbalbisi) February 16, 2025
On Saturday, recently released Palestinian prisoners burned white uniforms they had been forced to wear by Israeli prison authorities before their release. The uniforms, marked with the Star of David and the Israeli Prison Service emblem, had the phrase "We do not forget, we do not forgive" printed on both sides.
Ofer Prison has become a key location during the prisoner exchange agreement, with most released Palestinian detainees passing through it. Many have testified to Al Jazeera about experiencing psychological and physical torture inside the facility.
Human rights organizations have long reported severe mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in Ofer Prison, including physical abuse, psychological torture, starvation, and medical neglect, affecting prisoners regardless of age or health conditions.
Established during the British Mandate, Ofer Prison was converted into a military detention center by Israeli forces in 2002 during Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank. It remained under military administration until 2005, when the Israeli Prison Service took over and replaced the original tent structures with permanent buildings.
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