Palestinian minor released after week restrained in hospital bed

• Sixteen-year-old spent a week restrained in hospital after untreated infection became life-threatening

A 16-year-old Palestinian detainee from Bethlehem has been released from 'Israeli' custody after the High Court ordered authorities to allow his parents to visit him while he remained hospitalized in critical condition, according to Haaretz.

The teenager had spent a week at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center after his health deteriorated in custody. During his hospitalization, he was reportedly restrained to his bed, including after he lost consciousness.

Infection worsened in custody

The teen, identified only as M., was arrested in February on suspicion of throwing objects at 'Israeli' security forces and had been held at Ofer Military Prison since then.

According to medical findings cited by Haaretz, he contracted scabies while in custody. The condition was left untreated, allowing it to develop into a bloodstream infection that spread to vital organs, including his brain, leaving him in a life-threatening condition.

He was transferred to Shaare Zedek Medical Center on July 27 under the supervision of the 'Israel' Prison Service.

Restrained throughout hospitalization

A source familiar with the case told Haaretz that 'Israel' Prison Service personnel refused to remove the teen's restraints at any point during his hospitalization, even after he became unconscious.

The source also said that prison officers required hospital staff to identify themselves before entering his room despite wearing official identification badges.

Parents denied access

The day after the teenager was admitted to the hospital, his parents, represented by Physicians for Human Rights–'Israel', requested permission to visit him.

According to the report, the 'Israel' Prison Service declined to process the request, saying no entry permits for the visitors had been attached.

Under 'Israeli' policy, Palestinian security detainees are not entitled to family visits. The policy also allows for minors to be tried as adults.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, 'Israel' has also barred the International Committee of the Red Cross from visiting Palestinian detainees, despite a recent High Court ruling ordering the resumption of such visits.

High Court orders humanitarian relief

The teenager's parents filed an urgent petition to 'Israel's' High Court through attorney Tamir Blank of Physicians for Human Rights–'Israel', arguing that the case involved an exceptional humanitarian emergency.

During a hearing on July 30, Justices Daphne Barak-Erez, Ofer Grosskopf, and Yehiel Kasher indicated that, given the seriousness of the teenager's condition, his parents should be permitted to visit him.

Following the hearing, the 'Israel' Prison Service and the Civil Administration agreed to release the teen from custody and arrange permits allowing his parents to enter 'Israel'.

Rights group criticizes treatment

Naji Abbas, director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights–'Israel', said the case reflected "a serious failure" by the 'Israel' Prison Service.

He alleged that the teenager was denied adequate medical care until his condition became life-threatening and that his parents were prevented from seeing him while he was sedated and on a ventilator.

The Prison Service declined to comment on the teen's medical condition, citing privacy considerations.

Growing scrutiny over prison conditions

The case comes amid mounting criticism of conditions inside Israeli prisons.

According to 'Israel's' Public Defender's Office, 297 complaints alleging police violence were filed with the Justice Ministry's department for investigating police officers in 2025. The office warned that prison conditions had reached a "new and alarming peak," citing overcrowding and widespread violations of detainees' basic rights.

Separate reports have also documented worsening conditions for Palestinian detainees since October 2023, including severe overcrowding and food shortages that allegedly resulted in significant weight loss and other health complications.