Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader, was allegedly beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards during a transfer between prisons, according to his son Arab Barghouti. The incident reportedly occurred on 14 September as Barghouti was being moved from Ganot to Megiddo prison.
Arab Barghouti stated that five Palestinian prisoners released and deported to Egypt as part of the ceasefire deal had heard his father's account. He described the assault, saying eight guards kicked and punched Barghouti, focusing on his head, chest, and legs, causing him to lose consciousness. The released detainees said Barghouti could barely walk for days after arriving at Megiddo.
The Asra Media Office reported that Barghouti suffered fractures in four ribs. This is alleged to be the fourth time he has been beaten in the past two years. Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
The alleged beating followed a prison visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in August. Ben Gvir, who has past convictions for incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organisation, reportedly taunted Barghouti and showed him a picture of an electric chair, telling him he deserved to be executed.
Ben Gvir denied the assault allegations, stating that Barghouti's situation has changed radically under his tenure and that terrorists like him are treated harshly. He accused Barghouti of inventing fake news to incite his comrades.
Barghouti, a member of Fatah, has been imprisoned for over 20 years after being convicted of planning attacks that killed five civilians. He consistently tops polls as the most popular Palestinian leader and has been a vocal supporter of a two-state solution. His son argued that the Israeli government's refusal to include him in the prisoner release deal shows they do not want a credible Palestinian leader.
