Palestinian Prisoner’s Health Deteriorates Amid Isolation and Medical Neglect, Family Says
After nearly 31 years in Israeli prisons, 68-year-old Palestinian prisoner Rizq Abdullah Muslim al-Rajoub is reportedly in rapidly deteriorating health while held in solitary confinement at Ganot prison, with warnings that further denial of medical care could put his life at risk.
Palestinian prisoner Rizq Abdullah Muslim al-Rajoub, 68, has spent nearly 31 years in Israeli prisons and is experiencing a rapid decline in health while held in solitary confinement at Ganot prison. Rights groups have warned that continued denial of medical care could put his life at risk.
Al-Rajoub, from Dura south of al-Khalil, suffers from severe hearing impairment, facial pain and persistent headaches. His lawyer previously raised concerns about significant memory loss, saying Al-Rajoub could no longer recall the names of his wife or other family members.
The Asra Media Office (AMO) has urged immediate action to end his isolation and provide him with specialist medical treatment and essential supplies.
Medical treatment was denied despite an urgent recommendation for care.
The AMO said al-Rajoub is suffering from a complete blockage in his right ear, painful spasms on the right side of his face, severe hearing loss in his left ear and persistent headaches.
A paramedic examined him about a week ago and recommended an urgent specialist consultation, acknowledging that he was unable to provide the required treatment. However, no action has yet been taken.
Al-Rajoub also has vitiligo and gastrointestinal problems and underwent gallbladder removal surgery shortly before his latest arrest, heightening the need for regular medical follow-up.
Concerns about al-Rajoub’s condition grew after a lawyer who visited him in August 2025 reported significant physical and cognitive decline. During the meeting, al-Rajoub reportedly did not recognize the lawyer and was unable to recall the names of his wife and other relatives.
The lawyer also noted signs of a head injury, swelling around one eye and apparent severe weight loss.
Al-Rajoub has spent a total of 31 years in Israeli prisons over 13 periods of detention, including one that lasted eight consecutive years. He has been held in administrative detention since June 12, 2023.
One pair of trousers worn for 90 days.
The AMO said al-Rajoub has been provided with poor-quality food and faces severe shortages of clothing. He has reportedly worn the same pair of trousers for 90 days because no replacement was available.
The Office said Palestinian prisoners face humiliation and mistreatment during transfers to medical clinics or meetings with lawyers, creating further obstacles to medical care and legal representation.
It warned that his continued detention under such conditions, coupled with his deteriorating health, poses a direct threat to his life.
A father and his two sons have been jailed.
Al-Rajoub’s family is also dealing with the detention of two of his sons. Ahmed, 35, a father of four, has been held without charge under administrative detention since November 2023 and is currently detained at Ramon Prison.
His younger son, Mohammed, 19, has been held at Ofer Prison since his arrest in December 2024.
The family has also endured repeated Israeli raids on its home and the confiscation of property and funds, compounding its hardship as it receives increasingly concerning reports about al-Rajoub’s health, memory loss and isolation.
The AMO renewed its call for immediate action to protect his life, end his solitary confinement and ensure he receives appropriate medical care without further delay.
After decades in prison, al-Rajoub’s condition has deteriorated, impairing his hearing and memory of loved ones, while an urgent recommendation for specialist treatment remains unaddressed.
