RAMALLAH, (PIC)
More than 9,600 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, as rights groups warn of a sharp escalation in detention campaigns, abuse, and punitive legislation coinciding with Palestinian Prisoners’ Day on April 17.
According to data released by prisoner advocacy organizations and the Government Media Office (GMO), the number of detainees has risen by approximately 83 percent since October 2023, when around 5,250 Palestinians were in custody, highlighting a significant expansion in arrest operations.
The detainees include at least 84 women and around 350 children, many of whom are held under conditions that fall short of basic legal standards.
More than 3,500 individuals are being held under administrative detention without charge or trial, while 1,251 detainees, many from Gaza, are classified as “unlawful combatants,” a designation that strips them of key legal protections.
Human rights groups say that nearly half of all detainees are currently held without formal charges or due process.
Reports also point to a worsening humanitarian situation inside Israeli prisons. Since October 2023, at least 89 prisoners whose identities are confirmed have died in custody, with some reports indicating that the total number may exceed 100. These deaths have been attributed to torture, starvation, and medical neglect.
Israeli authorities are also holding the bodies of 97 martyred detainees, in what rights organizations describe as a violation of human dignity and the rights of families.
Health conditions inside prisons have deteriorated significantly, with around 1,200 detainees suffering from serious illnesses, including at least 35 cancer patients, many of whom are reportedly denied adequate medical care.
In addition, 116 prisoners are serving life sentences, often targeting political leaders and activists, while more than 330 public sector employees from Gaza have been detained in what observers describe as a direct blow to civilian infrastructure.
The data also shows more than 23,000 arrests carried out across the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, since the start of the war. Among those detained are over 700 women, approximately 1,800 children, and more than 240 journalists, 43 of whom remain in custody.
Legal experts and advocacy groups warn that recent legislation allowing the execution of prisoners marks a dangerous escalation, effectively institutionalizing violence and providing legal cover for what they describe as systematic abuses.
They argue that these measures reflect a broader pattern of violations that may amount to crimes under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
Palestinian and international organizations have called for urgent global action, urging the United Nations and human rights bodies to launch independent investigations, pressure Israel to end its detention policies, and secure the release of prisoners, particularly children, women, the sick, and those held without trial.
As Palestinian Prisoners’ Day is observed, the issue remains central to the Palestinian national narrative, symbolizing ongoing suffering and raising renewed calls for accountability and justice.
