Key facts
- Israeli Supreme Court ordered Israel to allow ICRC visits to Palestinian prisoners.
- The ban on Red Cross visits was implemented at the start of the Gaza war.
- The court found the prohibition lacked adequate legal basis.
- The prohibition violated Israel's international humanitarian obligations.
- The ruling applies to prisoners in Israeli prisons and military detention.
Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must be allowed to visit Palestinian prisoners, overturning a ban that was implemented at the beginning of the Gaza war. The court determined that the prohibition lacked an adequate legal basis and contravened Israel's binding international humanitarian obligations. The ruling applies to individuals held in Israeli prisons and military detention facilities. The ban was initially justified by the state citing security interests following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, arguing for its continuation until all Israeli hostages were returned. However, the court found the ban failed to meet legal standards even before the last hostage was returned. The ICRC has stated it is ready to resume its work visiting detainees. Rights groups like ACRI, which petitioned against the ban, will monitor the enforcement of this ruling. Reports of systemic abuse, starvation, and denial of medical care towards Palestinian prisoners have surfaced during the period of restricted visits.