Doha: The Palestinian Prisoners Club The Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) has raised alarms over a dangerous and rapidly spreading outbreak of skin diseases, notably scabies, among Palestinian prisoners in various Israeli occupation prisons and detention centers. This warning was issued after an evaluation based on numerous lawyer visits conducted during April and May, which highlighted severe human suffering and deliberate medical neglect within these facilities.

According to Qatar News Agency, testimonies documented during these visits reveal that prisoners are enduring widespread diseases and are being denied adequate treatment and healthcare. The detention facilities are described as environments conducive to the spread of illness and epidemics. In overcrowded cells, housing at least eight prisoners each, many detainees are suffering from scabies due to a lack of basic hygiene and humane living conditions.

The PPC's statement also mentioned that prison authorities have recently canceled several scheduled legal visits, citing the infection of prisoners with scabies as the reason. This cancellation is seen as an indication of the outbreak's severity and an attempt to conceal the deteriorating health conditions within the prisons. Many prisoners are reportedly suffering from skin ulcers and severe infections, with some detainees unable to sleep due to intense itching and pain, leading to a significant decline in their physical condition.

The PPC holds Israeli occupation prison authorities responsible for policies contributing to the spread of disease, such as the denial of hygiene supplies, severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, and restrictions on exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, the club reported that since the start of the war in Gaza, prison conditions have contributed to the deaths of 89 prisoners and detainees whose identities have been officially announced. Diseases, including scabies, have been linked to several of these deaths amid ongoing medical neglect.