Palestinian Prisoners Face Unprecedented Abuse in Israeli Detention, Rights Group Warns
Palestinian Prisoners Face Unprecedented Abuse in Israeli Detention, Rights Group Warns
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Around 9,200 Palestinians, including 380 children and approximately 100 women, were held in Israeli custody in 2026, amid allegations of torture, sexual violence, medical neglect and prolonged detention without trial, according to the Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Advocacy.
In a report published in November 2026, the Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Advocacy warned that conditions facing Palestinian prisoners and detainees have continued to deteriorate, describing them as among the harshest since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023.
The report documented widespread violations, including physical and psychological torture, threats of sexual violence, inadequate food, denial of medical treatment and restrictions on religious practices. It also raised concerns over Israeli legislation and detention policies that, according to the organization, undermine protections guaranteed under international humanitarian and human rights law.
According to figures cited in the report, Israeli prison authorities held approximately 9,200 Palestinians in June 2026, including more than 1,500 detainees from the Gaza Strip. Around 380 children and approximately 100 Palestinian women, including pregnant women, were also in detention during the first half of the year.
The report cited cases of detainees whose administrative detention orders were repeatedly renewed, leaving them imprisoned for extended periods without access to the evidence against them or a meaningful opportunity to challenge their detention.
Conditions inside several prisons, including Damon and Negev, were also described as particularly severe. Prisoners reportedly faced inadequate food, insufficient bedding, poor hygiene, restrictions on religious observance and a lack of essential medical care. The report further documented allegations of sexual violence and threats of rape against women detainees, citing testimonies from prisoners.
Children have also been affected. Citing the UN Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict, the Center noted that 981 Palestinian children were detained by Israeli forces during 2025. Testimonies collected by the United Nations from 66 children described physical violence and other forms of ill-treatment in custody. One Palestinian child also died in detention, with medical findings raising concerns about severe malnutrition and inadequate healthcare.
The report further criticized legislative developments in Israel, including a law passed by the Knesset on March 30, 2026, expanding the application of the death penalty in military and civilian courts. It also referred to legislation approved on May 11 establishing a special military tribunal with authority to impose capital punishment on Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023 operations.
Another major concern was Israel’s continued restriction on visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Palestinian detainees, a policy maintained since October 2023. Although Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously rejected the ban on June 3, 2026, the ruling did not establish a deadline for resuming visits.
