UK – The New Arab, June 06, 2026
The students were transferred to Israel’s Ofer Prison, and human rights advocates have raised concerns that the young women could face physical violence.
One of four female Palestinian students detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank is suffering from health complications but remains behind bars, her family and a prisoners’ organisation have said.
Sama Safi was one of four students from Birzeit University detained during Israeli military raids in Ramallah on Tuesday, which saw the arrest of 35 Palestinians in total. The three other students in detention are Natalie Abu Diya, Jolan Abu Awwad, and Laila Nael Khalil.
According to spokesperson for the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, Amani Sarhanneh, they were transferred to the notorious Israeli Ofer Prison.
Safi holds US citizenship, and her family has said she is suffering from health problems. A State Department spokesperson told The New Arab that the department was aware of the detention of an American in the West Bank.
“The Trump Administration takes its commitment to assist Americans abroad seriously and we are monitoring the situation. When Americans are detained abroad, the Department advocates for their access to adequate medical care and seeks consular access as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said.
