Gaza Herald – In a move widely condemned by human rights groups, Israel has officially banned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting thousands of Palestinian prisoners held under its so-called “unlawful combatants” law, a measure critics say aims to conceal systematic abuse and violations of international law.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the order, claiming Red Cross access would “endanger state security.” The ban formalizes what has already been the case since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, the total denial of humanitarian oversight for Palestinian detainees.
According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), those affected include thousands of Palestinians held in both military and civilian prisons, many without charge or trial. The group warned the decision deepens Israel’s breach of the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee detainees the right to Red Cross visits and basic humane treatment.
The ICRC has confirmed that it has been denied access to Palestinian prisoners since the war began, except during limited pre-release interviews tied to prisoner exchange deals, a stark reflection of Israel’s ongoing disregard for international humanitarian norms.
