Full Breakdown
Pregnant Palestinian Women Detained in Israel’s Damon Prison Face Harsh Conditions
6/25/2026, 12:00:19 AM
Detention of Three Pregnant Women in Damon Prison
On 30 April, Israeli forces raided Musab Zaloum’s West Bank home, handcuffing him and arresting his 28-year-old wife, Manar Karaja, who was two months pregnant. She joins Amina al-Taweel, 37, four months pregnant, detained 18 March, and Dana Anad Joudah, 35, five months pregnant, detained 18 April; all three are held in Damon Prison pending trial on incitement or administrative detention charges.
Escalating Arrests and Detention Regime
Since the October 2023 escalation, Israeli forces have detained over 765 Palestinian women, including students and journalists. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reports 93 women are currently imprisoned, roughly two-thirds under administrative detention without charge. Overall, more than 9,300 Palestinians, including over 350 children, remain in Israeli prisons.
Prison Demographics and Health Indicators
Damon Prison houses about 86 female detainees, two-thirds on administrative orders. The three pregnant women share a cell with three other inmates, leaving only two beds and forcing some to sleep on the floor. Meals consist mainly of legumes, providing insufficient protein for pregnancy, and basic sanitary supplies are scarce.
Israeli Authorities’ Position
Israel says Manar Karaja faces incitement charges, Dana Joudah is under a six-month administrative order, and Amina al-Taweel is charged with incitement; officials have not commented on prison conditions.
Human Rights Condemnation
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club says the detainees endure “harsh interrogations” and “degrading conditions” violating the Fourth Geneva Convention. Helmi al-Araj of Hurryyat warns Israel is “crossing all red lines,” imposing collective punishment and starvation on female prisoners.
Family and Former Detainee Testimonies
Musab Zaloum says his children woke crying after his handcuffed return, unaware their mother Manar Karaja was detained. Ali Shawahneh recalled pleading, “Take me instead of her,” before seeing Amina al-Taweel’s health worsen. A former detainee described life in Damon as isolated, with no family visits or news.
Verification Gaps
Israel provides only charge details; independent verification of detainees’ health, exact cell conditions, and medical examination frequency is lacking. The ICRC has been denied access since October 2023.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our children, Ayman, five, and Layla, four, were asleep and didn't wake up to the soldiers' voices. But after they took me to the military vehicle, they told me I could go home and that Manar would remain under arrest,” — Musab Zaloum, husband of Manar Karaja
- “Some pregnant prisoners have been subjected to harsh interrogations and detention conditions in cells that lack even the most basic sanitary standards,” — Palestinian Prisoners' Club, spokesperson
- “Prisoners face collective punishment, abuse, torture, starvation, isolation, and denial of family visits,” — Helmi al-Araj, director of Hurryyat
- “There are three pregnant women and three other detainees in a room with only two beds, forcing some of them to sleep on the floor,” — Hassan Abadi, Palestinian lawyer
Calls for International Intervention
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club urges the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN special rapporteurs to intervene, demanding either the immediate release of the three pregnant detainees or provision of adequate medical care and humane treatment.
