Palestinian prisoner gives birth in Israeli jail raising fears for pregnant detainees

Submitted by Fayha Shalash on Thu, 09/17/2026 - 09:08 The birth of Dana Joudeh’s daughter in Israeli custody has renewed scrutiny of the treatment of pregnant Palestinian detainees

A Palestinian woman seen gesturing while chanting slogans in downtown Nablus in the West Bank, holding up a portrait of her imprisoned son, in Israeli jails, demanding his release (Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via Reuters) Off

The birth of a baby to a Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail has heightened concerns over the treatment of pregnant detainees, from arrest and interrogation to prenatal care, nutrition and medical treatment.

Dana Joudeh, 35, gave birth to a baby girl on 14 September after spending more than six months in Israeli administrative detention, without charge or trial.

She was three months pregnant when she was arrested from her home in Iraq al-Tayeh, near Nablus, on 1 March.

A day after giving birth, Joudeh and her daughter were released and transferred to a hospital in Ramallah for medical care. Her condition was not immediately clear, and her family has refused to comment.

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs held Israel responsible for the health and safety of Joudeh and her newborn.

It said Joudeh had been denied adequate medical care throughout her pregnancy. It also condemned her being forced to give birth in prison.

“Leaving Joudeh to endure her pregnancy without any healthcare constitutes a crime and a violation of international laws and conventions,” the commission said on Monday.

“Forcing her to give birth to her baby inside the prison constitutes an additional crime,” it added.

Joudeh’s experience has raised concerns about two other pregnant Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody: Manar Karaja, 28, from Ramallah, who is six months pregnant, and Baraa Abu Khadija, from Tulkarm, who is four months pregnant.

'They lacked adequate nutrition for themselves and their foetuses. They received no medical treatment, not even a simple painkiller'

- Banan Abu al-Haija, former prisoner

Banan Abu al-Haija, who was held by Israel for 14 months without charge or trial, described the conditions facing pregnant prisoners.

She spent several months in a cell designated for pregnant detainees, sharing it with Joudeh, Karaja and Amina al-Tawil, who was later released.

Abu al-Haija told Middle East Eye that Joudeh suffered health problems during her detention.

Before her arrest, Joudeh had undergone gastric bypass surgery and needed vitamins and supplements. Abu al-Haija said she was denied them in prison.

“Dana, Amina and Manar were held in a small, hot room,” she said.

“They lacked adequate nutrition for themselves and their foetuses. They received no medical treatment, not even a simple painkiller.”

Medical clinic visits were also rare, she said. Sometimes more than a month passed between visits.

Poor hygiene facilities added to their suffering.

Abu al-Haija said al-Tawil also suffered repeated bleeding after stun grenades were fired at the door of their room.

When she complained, prison officials dismissed her concerns, Abu al-Haija said.

“They suffered severe psychological distress, constantly worrying about their families, their situation and their children, while longing for the moment of their release.”

Fears of giving birth in prison

For those still in custody, their families fear they could be forced to give birth far from home.

Musab Zalloum, Karaja’s husband, said Joudeh’s experience had deepened those fears.

His family now worries that Karaja could remain in prison until she gives birth, or even longer.

Zalloum said her lawyer last visited her on 29 August.

'The children miss her terribly. They started kindergarten a few days ago without her there'

- Musab Zalloum, husband of imprisoned Palestinian mother

During the visit, Karaja reportedly told her lawyer she had developed scabies because of poor hygiene and a lack of basic sanitary provisions.

She also raised concerns about inadequate medical care and nutrition.

Karaja, a mother of two - Ayman, five, and Laila, four - said medical checks were limited to blood pressure and diabetes tests when she was taken to the prison clinic.

Her weight was falling rather than increasing, she said, because she was not receiving enough food.

“After hearing about Dana giving birth in prison, our fears have grown,” Zalloum told MEE.

“We dread her going through that same harrowing experience and worry deeply about her health and the baby’s.”

Zalloum said he had been by his wife’s side during her previous pregnancies and births.

Now, he is barred from seeing her and struggles to get information about her condition.

“The children miss her terribly,” he said. “They started kindergarten a few days ago without her there.

“Everything is difficult in her absence, and we are eagerly awaiting her release.”

Karaja remains in detention. Her next court hearing is scheduled for 4 October.

A wider pattern

Joudeh’s case comes amid longstanding concerns over the treatment of Palestinian female prisoners.

Imprisoned Palestinian women have in the past been forced to give birth in prison or in guarded hospitals, with some mothers subsequently facing separation from their children.

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In a statement issued on 9 September, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said conditions for Palestinian female prisoners had reached an unprecedented level of severity.

The group said women had faced dozens of prison raids since the beginning of the year, involving assaults, humiliation, solitary confinement and collective punishment.

It said women were handcuffed behind their backs and blindfolded during raids before being taken to prison courtyards. Their personal belongings, including essential items, were also confiscated, according to the statement.

The PPS also said Israeli forces had increased the use of tear gas and placed several female prisoners in solitary confinement.

"The danger of these practices is not limited to the direct physical harm they inflict; it extends to turning fear, apprehension, and humiliation into a daily reality for the prisoners,” the group said.

It highlighted the case of Shaimaa Khazem from Jenin, who is being held under administrative detention.

Prisoner advocacy organisations say 90 Palestinian women are being held in Israeli prisons as of the beginning of September, out of a total of 9,350 Palestinian prisoners.

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