Rights8/20/2026

B’Tselem Criticizes Detention Conditions of Ramallah Doctor

Dr. Dima Amin was arrested over more than 100 social media posts on suspicion of incitement, harming security, and supporting a hostile organization. The Ofer Military Court extended her detention by five days, despite her suffering a heart attack and undergoing catheterization.

Key facts

•Court: Ofer Military Court
•Detention extension: five days
•Court’s reasoning: reasonable suspicion
•Posts: more than 100
•The family did not know her whereabouts for approximately 30 hours
•Neither a case number nor the exact hearing date was stated

The Arrest and Suspicions

Israeli forces arrested Dima Amin, a 55-year-old resident of Ramallah, at her home on Tuesday morning. According to testimony from relatives and neighbors, doors were broken down and property was damaged during the arrest. The source does not provide the security forces’ response to these allegations.

The Heart Attack and the Family’s Lack of Information About Her Fate

For approximately 30 hours, Amin’s relatives did not know her whereabouts or condition. It later emerged that she had suffered a heart attack during the arrest, after which she was taken to a hospital in Jerusalem and underwent catheterization. The lawyer claimed before the military court that Amin was tightly shackled during her transfer and hospital stay, and that marks from the restraints remained on her wrists.

The Military Court’s Decision

The Ofer Military Court extended Amin’s detention by five days. The judge noted that there was reasonable suspicion, but the source provides no more detailed legal reasoning. After receiving treatment, Amin was held at the Russian Compound detention center in Jerusalem; neither a case number nor the exact hearing date was stated.

B’Tselem’s Position

The human rights organization B’Tselem linked Amin’s case to other reports about the detention conditions of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities. According to the organization’s data, at least 90 Palestinian detainees and prisoners have died since October 2023, and more than 9,300 Palestinians in total are being held in the system. These are estimates and allegations issued by B’Tselem; the source does not provide the authorities’ response.

What this means for you

The report shows that a serious medical condition does not, in itself, necessarily result in release; a court may extend detention where there is reasonable suspicion. At the same time, allegations concerning the use of restraints, access to medical treatment, and notification of the family may be subject to separate legal and public scrutiny. The source does not state the final outcome of the investigation or whether an indictment will be filed.

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