The Supreme Court of Israel has ruled that authorities must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit Palestinians held in Israeli prisons and detention facilities.
The decision follows complaints from human rights organizations and families of detainees, who said the ICRC had been denied access to some Palestinian prisoners since the escalation of the Gaza conflict.
The court stated that preventing the ICRC from visiting detainees could violate international law and humanitarian obligations, including protections outlined in the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners during conflict.
The International Committee of the Red Cross plays a key role in monitoring prison conditions, checking detainees’ welfare, and helping prisoners maintain contact with their families.
Human rights groups have long accused Israel of holding thousands of Palestinians under harsh conditions, including the use of administrative detention, where individuals can be imprisoned without formal charges or trial for extended periods.
Israeli authorities argued that some restrictions were linked to security concerns and wartime conditions, saying measures had been introduced due to ongoing conflict and national security considerations.
Rights organizations welcomed the ruling, saying it could improve oversight of prison conditions and help protect the rights of detainees.
The issue of Palestinian prisoners remains one of the most sensitive and contested aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with thousands of Palestinians currently being held in Israeli detention facilities.