Gaza Herald- Thousands of Palestinian detainees are marking Eid al-Fitr in Israeli prisons under increasingly harsh conditions amid a systematic escalation of abuse and isolation.
As of March 2026, more than 9,500 prisoners are held in Israeli detention, including 79 women and 350 children. A significant number, over 3,400, are held under administrative detention without charge or trial, while others are classified as “unlawful combatants,” particularly from Gaza.
Since the onset of the Gaza genocide, Israeli authorities have suspended family visits and restricted access to legal counsel, effectively isolating detainees from the outside world. Many prisoners have spent decades in detention, with some nearing 40 years without being able to see their families.
Reports also indicate intensified punitive measures, including raids, physical abuse, medical neglect, and food deprivation. More than 100 detainees have reportedly died in custody during this period.
Israeli authorities have further extended emergency measures in prisons, allowing overcrowding and limiting basic rights under the pretext of security concerns.
As families celebrate the Eid, thousands of Palestinian households face the holiday with empty seats, while detainees remain cut off under worsening conditions and limited international oversight.
