Gaza:The European Coalition for the Support of Palestinian Prisoners has called for an independent and urgent investigation into the assault on Palestinian prisoner Hassan Salama. The coalition is urging the legal advisor to the Israeli occupation government and the "state" observer to ensure Salama's protection and prevent further attacks on him and other prisoners.
According to Yemen News Agency, the coalition reported that Salama suffered serious injuries from being shot nine times during a raid by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on his cell in the isolation section of Gilboa Prison on September 15, 2026. Despite his deteriorating health, Salama was subjected to beatings and assaults and did not receive proper medical treatment, only painkillers. His lawyer was unable to visit him until 48 days later, discovering his continued poor health.
The coalition highlighted that Salama is among more than 9,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons who face abuse, including torture, beatings, and other forms of mistreatment. The coalition noted that since October 7, 2023, at least 92 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody, according to statistics from the Prisoners' Media Office and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.
The coalition argues that these acts violate the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocol I of 1977, categorizing them as war crimes and crimes against humanity. It urged the International Committee of the Red Cross to increase visits to prisoners and press for better detention conditions and health care.
Furthermore, the coalition encouraged Palestinian and international human rights bodies to intensify efforts to internationalize the prisoners' issue and called for global accountability for those involved in the violations. They advocated for actions such as barring entry and freezing assets of perpetrators and urged the International Criminal Court to expedite the Palestinian file on prisoner violations.
Hassan Salama, born on August 9, 1971, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, was arrested in 1996 and sentenced to 48 life terms by Israeli authorities, who accused him of involvement in attacks by the Qassam Brigades. Salama has endured prolonged solitary confinement and continued suffering under Israeli detention.
