A Palestinian journalist released from Israeli abduction has called the country's jails as "living graves," detailing severe physical deterioration after a year in custody.
Ali Samoudi, 59, spoke to reporters on Thursday following his release after a year of imprisonment in Israeli jails.
He said he lost nearly half his body weight during his abduction, dropping from 120 kilogrammes to around 60, which he attributed to what he described as starvation policies and dire conditions inside Israeli prisons.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society said Samoudi was released in visibly deteriorated condition, noting that he appeared "completely different" after months of abuse, repeated transfers and denial of basic rights.
In his testimony, Samoudi said Palestinian abductees are living under extremely harsh conditions, citing food shortages, poor-quality meals and the absence of basic necessities.
"These prisons are a real hell and become cemeteries for the living. Our detainees are suffering from all directions. The food is really bad and it's such small amounts it's not enough for a cat to survive on," said Samoudi, who was one of the journalists working with Al Jazeera's Shireen Abu Akleh when she was fatally shot in the head by an Israeli sniper in 2022.
He urged families of prisoners not to abandon their relatives, warning that conditions inside Israeli prisons are worsening.
"There are no pens or notebooks or mirrors. I'm seeing myself for the first time today on this phone and I don't know what to say. I hope for freedom for the detainees and I ask their families to take care of them and to never abandon them. They are undergoing lots and lots of suffering from the injustice and the prison conditions. Do not abandon them. They are hungry for freedom and dignity," he said.
Thousands abducted and jailed
According to the Prisoners' Society, Samoudi is among more than 3,530 Palestinians held under so-called "administrative detention", in addition to over 40 journalists still held in Israeli prisons, including four women.
The group renewed calls for the release of all abducted journalists and urged the international community to take responsibility for ongoing violations against prisoners.
More than 9,600 Palestinian abductees remain in Israeli jails, including women and children, facing torture, starvation and medical neglect, which have led to the deaths of dozens, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups.
