Marwan Barghouti, Prominent Palestinian Prisoner, Allegedly Assaulted by Israeli Guards

Thu Oct 16 2025 21:21:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Marwan Barghouti's family claims he was brutally attacked by Israeli prison guards during a transfer, sparking outrage and discussions on prisoner treatment and political implications.

Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner serving multiple life sentences, has reportedly been attacked by Israeli guards, leading to claims from his family that he was beaten unconscious. The Israeli Prison Service denies the allegations, while reports from other detainees suggest a more troubling narrative. Barghouti is viewed as a potential unifying figure among Palestinians, and his treatment raises questions about prison conditions and political ramifications amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Marwan Barghouti, the most prominent Palestinian prisoner, was reportedly beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards on September 14, according to his family. Barghouti, who is currently serving five life sentences for planning deadly attacks against Israelis, was allegedly assaulted by eight guards during a transfer between Ganot and Megiddo prisons.

The Israel Prison Service has refuted these claims, insisting their operations adhere to legal standards aimed at ensuring the safety and health of all inmates. However, Barghouti's son, Arab, stated that the family received corroborative testimony from five released detainees who were aware of Barghouti's account, expressing horror at the incident.

According to Arab, his father was restrained handcuffed, kicked, and beaten, primarily focusing on his head and upper body. He remained unconscious for several hours, bleeding profusely and struggling to walk following the alleged assault. Arab suspects that the incident occurred during the transport due to a lack of surveillance cameras in the area.

Barghouti's imprisonment stems from his conviction in 2004, where he was sentenced to life for orchestrating attacks that led to civilian fatalities. His name was included in a list of high-profile prisoners that Hamas sought for release in exchange for Israeli hostages but was not included by Israel.

He is regarded as a unifying figure among Palestinians, with numerous polls indicating he would be favored in a presidential election, surpassing both the current Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders. Since October 2023, Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement, a situation that has drawn criticism from various factions.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the assault allegations but also indicated satisfaction with Barghouti's deteriorating conditions. A recently surfaced video showed Ben Gvir taunting Barghouti, further raising concerns over the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the video, with Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh labeling it as "the epitome of psychological, moral and physical terrorism." The incident has reignited discussions regarding prisoner treatment and Israel's policy toward high-profile Palestinian political figures.