Activists and the United Nations have demanded the release of a 9-months-pregnant Palestinian woman who is expected to be the first woman to give birth in an Israeli prison since 2008 after she was arrested for allegedly trying to stab a Jewish settler.

Anhar al-Deek from Ramallah, 26, who is nine months pregnant was arrested and detained at the Damon prison in south Haifa after she allegedly attempted to stab a settler at a West Bank settlement outpost on 8th March.

The 26-year-old who is already the mother of two wrote a letter to her family which they published online in which she detailed the poor conditions she is being kept in and the fear she has of giving birth whilst detained.

The letter was shared on social media and several activists and the United Nations caught wind of it and demanded that she was released.

In the letter, Anhar claimed that she was in acute pain from having to sleep on uncomfortable prison beds which she fears will only become more painful after she gives birth.

She added that she believes the prison guards intend to keep her in complete isolation after giving birth and she will give birth in humiliating circumstances handcuffed to a bed in the presence of countless prison guards.

She wrote: “I miss my daughters so much that it breaks my heart. “

A security official told The Times Of Israel that the claims made by Anhar and activists have been exaggerated and Anhar will not give birth whilst shackled to a bed.

The official said: ” Her guards will stand outside the door, of course. She will give birth in a hospital, in the conditions one expects from a hospital, but they won’t just put her in a taxi and send her off.”

Online activists have been organising rallies in support of Anhar with a group planning to hold a protest outside the prison throughout this week whilst the hashtag ‘Save Anhar al-Dee’ was used to raise awareness online.

The Wafa news agency reports that the United Nations mission to Palestine has also appealed for the heavily pregnant woman’s release before she gives birth.

The local news site Haaretz reports that Anhar was arrested in the western part of the West Bank when she attempted to stab a settler with a knife.

Haaretz reports that Anhar dropped the knife when local authorities arrived at the scene and no one was physically injured.

According to local media, Anhar will be allowed to care for her child in the prison but Damon prison is one of the most outdated prisons in Israel and for this reason, it currently houses no children.

Akram Samara, Anhar’ lawyer, claims that his client suffers from severe mental health issues and has even tried to commit suicide.

He plans to lodge an appeal to have Anhar psychologically assessed and for authorities to provide some sort of alternative to continued imprisonment.

No updates have been released by Israeli authorities regarding changes to Anhar’s legal situation.