Palestinian prisoner suffers memory loss after release from Israeli jail

The family of 39-year-old Palestinian Mohammad Ubeid, who was released on Sunday from Israeli jail, were "shocked" by his mental and physical condition, his brother, Ahmed Ubeid, told The New Arab.
 
Ubeid, a father to three children, had spent a year and a half in Israeli jails. Late on Sunday, upon his release, he was welcomed in his hometown village of Anza, south of Jenin by his family, who said that he suffered severe physical and psychological problems that he didn't experience prior to his arrest.
 
"Mohammad has lost a lot of weight, he has kidney problems, back pain, and most shockingly we noticed he had suffered a partial memory loss, to the point that he didn't recognize some family members," said his brother.
 
"We immediately took him to the hospital where he is undergoing exams," the brother added. "His physical condition has improved." 
 
"We haven't yet talked with him and have no idea of what he went through in prison to cause this situation," Ubeid's brother further said. "His children were frightened to see their father in such a condition and can't stop crying."

Israeli occupation authorities released Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Obeid, following 18 months of detention, in which he was subjected to torture that caused him mental disorders and memory loss.
Obeid’s family members are shocked by his condition.https://t.co/kHoucnNLjE

— Staat van Beleg (@StaatVanBeleg) July 25, 2022

The president of the Palestinian High Commission for Prisoners' Affairs, Qadri Abu Baker, told The New Arab's sister publication Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Ubeid showed signs of torture and mistreatment, including isolation.
 
Abu Baker also said, in a separate statement that the Prisoners' Affairs Commission will investigate Ubeid's case to find the truth on what caused his mental and physical health deterioration. Nevertheless, Abu Baker stressed that Israeli authorities bare full responsibility for Ubeid's life.
 
Human rights groups have accused Israel of torture and medical negligence against Palestinian detainees. In early July, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club accused Israeli authorities of having a policy of medical negligence that caused the death of 68-year-old Palestinian female prisoner Saadiyah Faraj Allah.

He did not recognize his family because of memory loss !#Palestinian prisoner Mansour Shahatit from the village of "Dura" returns with loss of memory after 17 years spent in the occupation prisons . pic.twitter.com/KneojyQk79

— Palestine-News (@palestine24news) April 9, 2021

In April 2021, the 35-year-old Palestinian Mansour Shahateet was also found to have suffered memory loss upon his release, after 17 years in Israeli jails.
 
Some 4,650 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli jails, including 30 women, 10 children ad 650 detainees without charges, according to human rights groups.