Palestinian woman Dana Joudeh gives birth in Israeli detention

Dana Joudeh, a 35-year-old Palestinian woman from Nablus, has given birth via a premature cesarean section while held under Israeli administrative detention. Joudeh was arrested without charges and discovered her pregnancy after losing consciousness at Sharon Prison in Netanya. Reports indicate she was transported to a hospital blindfolded and with her hands and feet bound in chains.

During her six-month pregnancy in custody, Joudeh was transferred to Damon Prison in Haifa, where she shared a cell with 13 other women. According to family members and prisoner rights advocates, she faced significant hardships, including inadequate access to prenatal care, medicine, and sufficient food. Advocates report that detained pregnant women often face poor nutrition, shortages of basic necessities, and instances of violence or mistreatment.

Joudeh is documented as only the second woman to give birth while in Israeli detention in nearly 17 years, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society. Her case highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of pregnant Palestinian detainees held by Israeli security forces.