The family of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political figure serving multiple life sentences in Israel, has reported that he has been physically assaulted three times by prison guards over the past month. His son, Arab Barghouti, expressed shock upon learning the details from his father's Israeli lawyer, describing the alleged incidents as targeted abuse.
Barghouti, 66, was convicted by an Israeli court for planning attacks against Israeli civilians during the second Palestinian intifada and is currently serving five life sentences plus 40 years. Despite his imprisonment, which began 24 years ago, opinion polls consistently rank him as the most popular Palestinian leader. Many view him as a unifying figure akin to Nelson Mandela, noting his past engagement with Israeli officials and his role within the Fatah Central Committee.
"He's someone who represents hope for unity, for democratic renewal, for a better future for the Palestinian people," Arab Barghouti told the BBC. "He's a target because he gives hope to the Palestinian people."
According to lawyer Ben Marmarelli, who visited Barghouti on Sunday, the assaults occurred over a three-week period. He detailed on social media that guards allegedly entered Barghouti's cell in Megiddo Prison with a dog and attacked him, followed by a beating during a transfer to another facility. A week ago, Marmarelli claimed Barghouti was "severely beaten and left bleeding for more than two hours" in Ganot Prison and was denied medical treatment.
The Israeli Prison Service has firmly denied the allegations, stating, "the allegations made are false and baseless." In a follow-up statement, it added, "All inmates receive medical treatment in accordance with the professional judgement of medical officials."
These claims emerge amid broader concerns from UN agencies and Israeli human rights groups about worsening conditions for Palestinian detainees since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Reports cite increases in beatings, sexual violence, starvation, and medical neglect, with dozens of deaths in custody alleged. Last year, a UN committee expressed deep concern over what it described as a "de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture and ill treatment" in Israeli prisons.
Barghouti has reportedly been held in solitary confinement for the past two-and-a-half years. His family states he has suffered previous violent incidents, including broken ribs and head injuries. The situation drew renewed attention last year when far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video of himself confronting Barghouti in his cell—the prisoner's first public appearance in years, where he appeared visibly aged and thin.
Arab Barghouti criticized Western leaders for their silence, saying it contributes to "the dehumanisation of Palestinians." Currently, Israel holds 9,560 Palestinians as security prisoners, including over 3,500 in administrative detention without trial.