Palestinian Woman Gives Birth in Shackles While Held Under Israeli Detention

Palestinian woman Dana Joudeh was shackled when she discovered she was pregnant while under administrative detention by Israeli forces. The 35-year-old from Nablus was arrested and placed in Sharon Prison, located in Netanya, where she lost consciousness before being taken to a hospital blindfolded with her hands and feet bound.

Joudeh's pregnancy and subsequent childbirth occurred entirely within the confines of Israeli prisons. Since October 7, 2023, hundreds of Palestinian women have been arrested by Israeli security forces under conditions that severely restrict access to basic necessities such as food, family visits, and medical care. Joudeh is only the second documented case in nearly 17 years where a woman gave birth while detained.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society and other rights organizations corroborate Joudeh's account of her six-month pregnancy, which ended prematurely with a cesarean section. Her sister Maram provided details about her confinement during pregnancy, highlighting the severe hardships faced by detainees. "She went through every kind of suffering in there," Maram said.

Legal advocate Hassan Abbadi confirmed reports of violence and mistreatment within Israeli prisons. He detailed instances where sound grenades were used inside detention centers and women were forced to lie face down on the floor. Prisoners often endure shortages of basic hygiene products, attacks by police dogs, and invasive strip searches.

Joudeh's ordeal occurred amid a broader surge in arrests and violence against Palestinians across occupied territories since October 7, 2023. As of September, Israel was holding approximately 9,350 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including over 90 women and more than 350 children. More than 3,100 are held under administrative detention without charge or trial.

During her confinement, Joudeh struggled to obtain adequate prenatal care and relied on fellow inmates for limited food supplies. Despite repeated requests, medical tests were denied, leaving her increasingly worried about the health of both herself and her unborn child. Her pregnancy was marked by a lack of basic accommodations and support typically afforded to expectant mothers.

This case underscores the severe human rights violations faced by Palestinian women under Israeli detention policies, highlighting urgent concerns over their treatment during pregnancy and childbirth.