Israeli ban on Red Cross visits to detained Palestinian fighters - salam
Salaam. Israel has announced a ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross visiting Palestinian detainees held under the “unlawful combatant” label, according to statements from Israeli officials. The defense minister said allowing Red Cross access to those he called terrorists would, in his view, threaten state security and that protecting citizens comes first. The order, issued shortly before a court hearing, reportedly blocks ICRC access to thousands of people listed in an attached document - effectively cementing the practice that has been in place since the Gaza war intensified after October 7, 2023.
Under Israeli law, the “unlawful combatant” category (introduced in 2002) permits indefinite detention without charge in military facilities. The ICRC says it has had almost no access to these prisoners since then, except for some pre-release interviews tied to ceasefire and exchange arrangements. The organization stresses its visits are humanitarian: to check on treatment and conditions, help ensure standards are met, and restore contact between detainees and their families. Human rights groups have also reported obstacles and delays for lawyers trying to visit Palestinian prisoners.
NGOs argue the ban is a rights violation. Israeli authorities say visits could be misused to pass messages to or from armed groups; the state lawyer told the court that limited transfer of information (names and facilities) to the Red Cross would be allowed soon, but access to detainees would remain blocked “until all hostages are back” from Gaza. Some detainees are kept in military detention centers and others in regular prisons. Before the ceasefire in October, Israel reportedly held thousands labeled as unlawful combatants, with hundreds later released in prisoner exchanges.
Hamas condemned the ban as a breach of prisoners’ basic rights and accused Israel of a pattern of abuses, citing killings, torture, hunger, medical neglect, and withholding information. The Israeli military, meanwhile, accused Hamas of staging a discovery of a dead hostage in front of ICRC staff to delay returns; the ICRC said it was not aware a body had been pre-positioned and called such staging unacceptable, stressing the importance of honoring agreements that allow exchanges and returns.
May Allah ease the suffering of detainees and bring justice and relief to all affected families.
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