Ramallah: The Palestinian Prisoners' Club has reported a significant increase in the number of female Palestinian detainees in Israeli occupation prisons, with the total rising to 52 in January. This increase follows the recent arrest of five women, including a journalist and two former detainees.
According to Qatar News Agency, the organization released a statement on Thursday highlighting the continued escalation of targeting women during what it describes as one of the bloodiest periods for Palestinian women amid the years of occupation. The statement noted that over 650 cases of arrest among women have been recorded since the beginning of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, alongside allegations of war crimes and grave violations, including horrific abuses against them.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club further elaborated that this systematic escalation has impacted women across all Palestinian areas, including minors, through arrest and detention. The organization accused the Israeli occupation of using women as hostages to pressure their family members into surrendering. This practice has reportedly intensified since the onset of the conflict, with the group calling it one of the most prominent crimes of the current genocidal war.
The statement also addressed the grounds for these arrests, with the majority linked to freedom of opinion and expression. Many detainees are accused of incitement via social media. Currently, 16 female detainees are held under administrative detention, reflecting the ongoing tensions and alleged violations of rights in the region.