Reports: Pregnant Palestinian Women Face Harsh Conditions in Israeli Prisons

What happened

Middle East Eye reports that three pregnant Palestinian women—Amina al-Taweel, Dana Joudeh, and Manar Karaja—are currently held in what the Palestinian Prisoners' Club describes as harsh and degrading conditions inside Damon Prison. The report highlights overcrowding, insufficient food, lack of proper medical care, and restricted family and International Committee of the Red Cross visits since October 2023.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to accounts relayed by families and lawyers, conditions include women sleeping on prison floors due to overcrowding, persistent body pain, and severe nutritional deficits that are especially critical given these women's pregnancies. Manar Karaja, arrested shortly after learning she was two months pregnant, is reportedly detained on suspicion of incitement—a vague charge often levied against Palestinian women prisoners. Dana Joudeh, five months pregnant and recovering from recent gastric surgery, is said to have suffered fainting and dehydration in custody without adequate medical intervention.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club also notes punitive measures against female prisoners have intensified recently, including harsh interrogations, strip searches, and deprivation of basic sanitary standards, which have exacerbated prisoners’ physical and psychological suffering. The club reports weight loss, exhaustion, and emaciation among detainees due to these conditions.

Known from the source

• Three pregnant Palestinian women—Amina al-Taweel, Dana Joudeh, and Manar Karaja—are held in Damon Prison.
• Since October 2023, families and International Committee of the Red Cross delegates have not been allowed visits.
• Palestinian Prisoners' Club reports harsh conditions, including overcrowding, poor food, and limited medical care.
• Manar Karaja was arrested shortly after learning she was two months pregnant and is held on suspicion of incitement.
• Dana Joudeh is five months pregnant, recovering from gastric bypass surgery, and reportedly has suffered fainting and dehydration in custody.

What remains unclear

Families remain barred from visiting the pregnant women, though volunteer lawyers provide intermittent updates, offering some reassurance but underlining the dire situation. The Israeli Prison Service and prison authorities have not publicly confirmed these details beyond official charges and detentions.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the conditions inside Damon Prison for female and pregnant detainees. Confirmation of medical care adequacy and nutritional provisions for pregnant prisoners. Independent confirmation of the detention status and charges against Manar Karaja and Dana Joudeh.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Middle East Eye Gaza. Open the source.