Marwan Barghouti, the most prominent Palestinian prisoner, was allegedly assaulted by Israeli prison guards on September 14, as reported by his family. The 66-year-old, currently serving five life sentences for his role in organizing attacks against Israelis, purportedly suffered severe injuries during a transfer between Ganot and Megiddo prisons.
Family members, including Barghouti's son Arab, have reported receiving testimonies from multiple detainees who corroborate his accounts of the incident, where he was reportedly handcuffed and beaten by eight guards. Arab expressed their horror at the brutality reportedly inflicted on his father, stating, They focused on the head area, the chest, and the legs… he was bleeding and could hardly walk.
While the Israel Prison Service categorically denied these allegations, declaring them as false claims, the incident has intensified scrutiny over Barghouti’s prison conditions and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners more broadly. His family suspects that the lack of surveillance cameras in the transfer area may have contributed to the assault going undisclosed until now.
Barghouti, often regarded as a unifying figure among Palestinians, continues to grapple with political implications stemming from his imprisonment. Following a recent hostage exchange deal involving Hamas and Israel, Barghouti's name surfaced among high-profile prisoners whose potential release was discussed, yet Israel declined to include him. His ongoing solitary confinement and reported deterioration in treatment have prompted further outcry from human rights advocates.
Sparking concern, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has expressed pride in worsening Barghouti's prison conditions, further highlighting the contentious climate surrounding his incarceration. This prevailing environment, along with a taunting video from Ben Gvir that surfaced earlier revealing Barghouti’s frail appearance, underscores an escalating narrative regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees.
