Table of contents
Executive Summary
This annual report tracks the reality facing Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons and detention facilities throughout 2025. It examines these conditions within the context of the ongoing conflict and the great escalation in detention policies—particularly following the events of October 7, 2023.
Documented data indicates major shifts in prison administration, including broader use of administrative detention, growing reliance on military and temporary detention facilities, and tighter restrictions on family visits and access to legal counsel. It further records increasing reports of torture and ill-treatment, alongside reports of starvation, medical neglect, and extended solitary confinement.
By the end of 2025, more than 9,300 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons, including approximately 3,350 under administrative detention—detained without charge or trial—and around 1,220 children. The figure also includes detainees classified under the so-called “unlawful combatant” framework, a legal mechanism that allows prolonged detention without sufficient guarantees of a fair trial.
In 2025, 32 prisoners were reported to have died in detention, with official information on the circumstances of their deaths remaining limited. Prisoner organizations further report that since October 2023, a total of 86 detainees have died, including at least 50 from Gaza Strip, while the bodies of 83 remain in custody and the fate of several others from Gaza remains unknown.
The report concludes that the range and recurrence of these violations, if proven to be widespread or systematic, may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity under international law, calling for effective and independent accountability.
Research Methods
This report relies on a multi-source human rights documentation methodology, drawing on:
The information was verified through cross-referencing multiple sources whenever possible. Consideration was also given to restrictions on access to detention facilities, limitations on visits, and constraints on the work of lawyers and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
All testimonies cited in this report are documented with the International Organization of Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners (Tadamon) and preserved in its archives, collected in accordance with established human rights documentation standards.
Scope and Limitations of the Report
This report covers the period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, while also referencing earlier incidents as appropriate, when they were revealed or reported during the covered period.
The focus is on the conditions of Palestinians deprived of their liberty in Israeli prisons and military detention facilities, including those held under administrative detention or the so-called “unlawful combatant” framework. It also addresses groups afforded special protection under international law, such as children, women, the ill, and the elderly.
Given the ongoing restrictions on access to detention sites and the lack of transparency regarding the number and location of detainees—particularly in cases of enforced disappearance—the figures and data presented in this report represent the minimum documented cases for the period and should not be regarded as a comprehensive account of all violations.
Introduction
This report comes in the context of a notable deterioration in detention conditions following the events of October 2023, which saw significant changes in arrest policies and prison procedures in Israeli facilities.
Documented information indicates increasing restrictions on detainees, including the expanded use of solitary confinement, tightened security measures, and limitations on visits and access to legal counsel. Repeated reports of torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect have also been raised, raising serious concerns about the authorities’ compliance with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
General Context and Shifts in Detention Policy (2023–2025)
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli detention system has seen a significant expansion in the use of administrative detention and the implementation of exceptional measures within detention facilities. These policies continued throughout 2025, accompanied by legislative and procedural amendments that reinforced the continuation of measures initially introduced under the state of emergency.
By the end of 2025, Israeli authorities held over 9,300 Palestinians, including approximately 3,350 under administrative detention. The administrative detention system allows individuals to be held for renewable periods based on secret evidence, without granting them full access to the evidence or an effective means to challenge it.
Authorities have also expanded the application of the so-called “unlawful combatant” framework, particularly against detainees from the Gaza Strip, allowing for prolonged detention without clear charges and without sufficient guarantees for a fair trial.
The report also documents military orders and procedures that extended detention periods before judicial review, limited access to legal counsel, and delayed disclosure of detainees’ locations.
Additional measures within prisons included reduced visitations, limited time in the yard, and restrictions on essential supplies.
The data indicate that these measures continued throughout 2025 and are no longer confined to a temporary framework. There has also been increased reliance on military or temporary detention facilities lacking independent oversight, heightening the risk of torture and ill-treatment.
These policies raise serious concerns regarding their compliance with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly with respect to the prohibition of arbitrary detention and the guarantees of a fair trial.
By the end of 2025, according to data from the Palestinian Prisoners and Freed Prisoners Affairs Commission and specialized Palestinian institutions, Israeli authorities held over 9,300 Palestinians in Israeli prisons and detention facilities. This figure represents one of the highest detention rates recorded in recent years.
The data indicate a significant increase in the use of administrative detention and detention under the so-called “unlawful combatant” framework, alongside the continued imprisonment of children, women, journalists, and individuals with serious health conditions. Deaths in detention were also recorded, and the practice of withholding the bodies of Palestinians continues.
These figures reflect the widening scope of detention to include groups afforded special protection under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including children, journalists, and the sick.
Number of Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees by Category (2025)
|
Category |
Number |
Percentage (%) |
|
Administrative detainees |
3350 |
49% |
|
“Unlawful Combatant” Detainees (Mostly Gaza)
|
1220 |
|
|
Children |
≈350 |
4% |
|
Women |
49 |
0.5% |
|
Journalists |
42 |
0.4% |
|
Sick prisoners (chronic diseases) |
Thousands |
- |
|
Deaths in prisons (2025) |
32 |
- |
|
Withheld bodies |
94 |
- |
|
Total prisoners and detainees |
≥ 9300 |
- |
*Note: Percentages are approximate and calculated based on 9,300 detainees. Categories with an unspecified number are not included.
Groups with special protection under international humanitarian law, such as children, women, journalists, and the sick, represent a significant proportion of the total detainee population.
These figures do not include individuals held in military facilities, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where reports indicate that people are detained without being officially registered in prison records and with insufficient transparency regarding their locations or legal status. As a result, the actual number of individuals deprived of their liberty is likely higher than the figures presented above.
The large scale of detention, along with the significant number of individuals held without charge or trial, reflects a widespread reliance on prolonged detention outside full judicial safeguards. These trends raise serious concerns about compliance with international standards that prohibit arbitrary detention, guarantee the right to a fair trial, and require special protections for vulnerable groups, including children, journalists, and the sick.
Israeli authorities continued throughout 2025 to expand the use of administrative detention within a detention framework based on orders issued without specific criminal charges and without referral to trial.
By the end of 2025, the number of administrative detainees had reached approximately 3,350, marking one of the highest levels recorded in recent years, including in comparison with earlier periods of security escalation.
Administrative detention is carried out through renewable orders that can extend for periods ranging from several months to years, without the filing of formal charges. Administrative detainees are issued detention orders based on what authorities describe as “secret evidence,” which neither the detainees nor their lawyers are permitted to access or effectively challenge.
Available data indicate that judicial review of these orders is often limited to formal approval, with scrutiny of whether the detention is necessary or proportionate.
The expansion of targeted groups points to a widespread use of this measure well beyond the narrow exceptional circumstances allowed under international law.
The effects of administrative detention extend beyond the mere deprivation of liberty, encompassing psychological consequences linked to the uncertainty of detention duration, as orders are repeatedly renewed without a clear time limit.
Documented testimonies indicate that the repeated renewal of orders keeps detainees in a constant state of anxiety and psychological instability.
The repeated issuance and renewal of administrative detention orders, reliance on secret evidence that cannot be effectively reviewed, and the widening of groups subjected to this measure point to an established pattern of using this system as a tool for long-term detention. The limited scope of effective judicial oversight further heightens concerns over the absence of fundamental procedural safeguards.
Administrative detention in this form constitutes a violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular:
When administrative detention is employed broadly and systematically, alongside the effective denial of legal safeguards, it may constitute a crime against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, if proven to be part of a widespread or systematic attack targeting a civilian population.
The report documents repeated reports of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees from the moment of arrest and throughout the interrogation process. Verified testimonies and data from human rights organizations indicate a notable escalation in interrogation methods during 2025, both in terms of the severity and duration of violence used, and the widening scope of affected groups, including men, women, children, patients, and the elderly—particularly detainees from the Gaza Strip.
Documented practices during interrogation include:
Verified testimonies from detainees in the Gaza Strip indicate that, in military detention facilities—including the Sde Teiman camp—they were subjected to multiple forms of ill-treatment, including forced nudity, group beatings, prolonged restraint, and deprivation of sleep and food, in addition to sexual or ethnic humiliation.
Data show that these interrogations took place in detention environments lacking effective judicial oversight and were conducted under the supervision of security and military authorities.
The minor detainee Mohammad Dar Al-Deek (16) – Hebron reported being subjected to continuous sleep deprivation, psychological pressure, and threats during interrogation. Upon his release, he stated: “I would sometimes cry for no reason… just because I was hungry.”
Consistent testimonies across multiple detention sites indicate a recurring pattern of abuse. The wide range of affected groups and the nature of the documented practices further heighten concerns regarding the absence of fundamental safeguards during questioning.
If proven, the practices of torture and ill-treatment constitute a violation of the Convention Against Torture, particularly its absolute prohibition of torture, and also breach Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
When carried out on a widespread or systematic scale, these acts may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, provided the required legal elements are satisfied.
The report documents repeated cases of Palestinian prisoners and detainees being denied adequate medical care within detention facilities. Verified data and testimonies indicate that some detainees do not receive necessary treatment, face delays in diagnosis or transfer to medical facilities, or are provided only with painkillers without addressing the underlying medical condition.
During 2025, these practices affected sick and injured prisoners, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities, as well as detainees from the Gaza Strip. Testimonies indicate that some of them were released from interrogation while still suffering injuries without having received appropriate medical care.
Documented Patterns of Medical Neglect
Verified testimonies indicate that some detainees suffered from open wounds and fractures during detention without receiving treatment, and some injured individuals were left for days without any medical intervention.
Data indicate the presence of detainees suffering from cancer and chronic diseases that require specialized treatment and regular monitoring. However, many of them do not receive the necessary medical care or face delays in examinations and treatment.
The report draws a connection between patterns of denial of healthcare and deaths in detention facilities. Some detainees died after suffering from illnesses or injuries for which they did not receive appropriate treatment, amid limited information available regarding investigations into the circumstances of their deaths.
The repeated denial of treatment, delays in medical examinations, and deprivation of specialized care across multiple detention facilities indicate an ongoing pattern in the management of healthcare within the detention system. The breadth of affected groups and the consistency of neglect patterns further raise concerns about the adequacy of medical safeguards for detainees.
If established, the denial of adequate healthcare constitutes a violation of Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the provision of medical care to protected persons.
When such deprivation is intentional or systematic, it may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and may constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law if it results in the detainee’s death or permanent disability.
The report documents denial of adequate food provided to Palestinian prisoners and detainees in places of detention, along with complaints regarding the poor quality of food, restrictions on purchasing food items, and limitations on bringing food from outside.
During 2025, documented testimonies and reports by specialized organizations indicated that these practices contributed to weight loss among a number of detainees and the deterioration of their health conditions.
Documented testimonies indicate that some detainees experienced weight loss over short periods and developed symptoms associated with malnutrition, such as dizziness, fatigue, and weakened immunity. These findings further raise concerns about the adequacy of food provisions within detention facilities.
The report links patterns of severe food deprivation to the deterioration of the health of some detainees, including deaths that occurred in detention settings where reports indicated shortages of food and healthcare. Severe malnutrition can weaken the immune system and increase vulnerability to serious health complications.
The repeated reduction of food rations and restrictions on food sources across multiple detention facilities, coupled with the large number of affected detainees, indicate a persistent pattern in the management of detainees’ food supplies. The intersection of these practices with complaints regarding healthcare further heightens concerns about the adequacy of fundamental safeguards for ensuring a dignified standard of living in detention.
If proven, the deliberate denial of adequate food constitutes a violation of Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which guarantees the right to an adequate standard of living, including sufficient food. It also breaches the obligations of an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the provision of essential needs for protected persons.
When carried out on a widespread or systematic basis, and used as a punitive measure, such conduct may amount to a war crime under international humanitarian law.
The report documents the use of solitary confinement against Palestinian prisoners and detainees during 2025 in Israeli detention facilities. Available data and documented testimonies indicate that this measure was used repeatedly, whether as a disciplinary sanction, in the context of interrogation, or following incidents within prisons.
Specialized organizations concerned with prisoners’ affairs reported that a number of detainees were held in solitary confinement for periods ranging from days to weeks and months, and in some cases for longer durations, with orders renewed successively.
Testimonies indicate that solitary confinement cells are characterized by harsh conditions, including:
Detainees also reported remaining inside the cells for approximately 23 hours per day or more, with minimal human interaction and, in some cases, the absence of activities or reading materials.
The report identifies the use of solitary confinement in several contexts, including:
Testimonies also indicate that some solitary confinement decisions were imposed without effective judicial review or clear individualized justification.
Testimonies from released detainees documented psychological and physical effects associated with prolonged solitary confinement, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and reduced ability to concentrate.
Some also reported a deterioration in their health conditions amid limited medical and psychological follow-up within solitary confinement cells.
Several released detainees reported being held in solitary confinement cells for extended periods without effective judicial decisions, and that solitary confinement orders were renewed periodically without enabling them to challenge them effectively.
Others stated that they were transferred to solitary confinement following mass raids, during which they were restrained and blindfolded before being placed in individual cells.
The repeated resort to solitary confinement, the length of time detainees spend in it, and the multiple contexts in which it has been used point to a persistent pattern in the use of this measure within the detention system. The limited scope of effective judicial oversight over solitary confinement decisions further raises concerns about its compliance with international standards.
Prolonged solitary confinement, when it exceeds the limits of necessity and proportionality, may constitute a violation of Israel’s obligations under:
When solitary confinement is used on a widespread or systematic basis, it may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and potentially to an international crime if the required legal elements are met.
The report documents cases in which detainees’ whereabouts or legal status were not disclosed for varying periods of time, particularly affecting detainees from Gaza Strip during 2025.
Available information indicates that a number of individuals arrested since October 7, 2023 remained without adequate information regarding their place of detention or legal status for weeks or months, amid the limited availability of updated official records.
Documented practices that constitute enforced disappearance include:
Data indicate that detainees from the Gaza Strip are among the most affected groups, with some held under the so-called “Unlawful Combatant Law,” without clear charges and without being brought before a judge for extended periods.
Testimonies report that detainees were held in military facilities or closed sections, including Sde Teyman Camp, Rakefet Section, Ramla Prison.
Families of detainees reported submitting requests and inquiries to official authorities and international organizations for information, often receiving no clear responses.
These findings indicate that the lack of information about the fate of detainees has prolonged psychological and social effects on their families, in addition to directly affecting the rights of the detainees themselves.
The report documents cases in which detainees were reported deceased after periods during which their whereabouts were unknown, without sufficient details being provided about the conditions of their detention or the circumstances of their deaths. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of investigations and accountability.
The repeated nondisclosure of detention locations, delays in registering detainees, and denial of legal access across closely spaced time periods and multiple detention facilities indicate a recurring pattern in the management of certain cases of detention. The large number of affected individuals further raises concerns about compliance with fundamental safeguards related to the right to know the fate of detainees.
Enforced disappearance is defined under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2006) as the arrest or detention of a person followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or concealment of the person’s fate or whereabouts, placing them outside the protection of the law.
When carried out on a widespread or systematic scale, enforced disappearance may amount to a crime against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The report documents the imposition of broad restrictions on the right of Palestinian prisoners and detainees to communicate with their lawyers and families during 2025. Available data indicate the continued denial or limitation of legal meetings and family visits, particularly for detainees from the Gaza Strip, for extended periods.
Available information also shows that these restrictions were not limited to individual or exceptional cases but were applied widely across several detention facilities, directly affecting fundamental procedural safeguards.
The denial of legal communication is associated with several rights-related consequences, including:
The denial of family contact also intensifies the psychological impact of detention and affects the right to maintain family ties.
The repeated denial of legal meetings and suspension of family visits across multiple detention facilities and affecting different categories of detainees indicates a consistent pattern of restricting external communication. The overlap of these restrictions with periods of interrogation or prolonged detention further raises concerns about their direct impact on fair trial guarantees and on protection from torture and ill-treatment.
The unjustified denial of access to lawyers and family visits constitutes:
Prolonged or systematic denial of legal communication—particularly when combined with isolation or ill-treatment—may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment within the meaning of Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The report documents an escalation in the use of collective punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners and detainees during 2025. These measures included repeated raids on prison sections, the imposition of sanctions affecting groups of detainees without distinction, and their forced transfer between different detention facilities.
Available data indicate that large-scale raid operations were carried out by special units, often accompanied by physical assaults, confiscation of personal belongings, the closure of prison sections, and the imposition of collective restrictions. Available information suggests that these measures were implemented repeatedly across several prisons and detention centers.
The documented practices include:
The report documents the coercive transfer of groups of prisoners between prisons and detention camps without prior notice or clear individual justification. Testimonies indicate that transfers occurred under conditions that included:
Available information indicates that these transfers were not solely for administrative purposes but, in several cases, were used as an additional punitive measure.
The repeated raids, imposition of collective punishments, and forced transfers across multiple detention facilities and similar contexts indicate a consistent pattern of punitive measures applied without individual assessment. The combination of these practices with physical assaults and confiscation of personal belongings further raises concerns about their use as a means of coercion and subjugation within the detention system.
Collective punishments and forced displacements constitute:
When such acts are carried out on a widespread or systematic scale, they may amount to grave breaches of international humanitarian law and necessitates accountability under the relevant international standards.
This report documents the exposure of groups afforded special protection under international humanitarian law and international human rights law to multiple violations during 2025, including children, female detainees, sick prisoners, and elderly persons, in the context of the expanding use of detention and the tightening of detention conditions within prisons and camps.
Numbers and Data
Data issued by institutions concerned with prisoners’ affairs indicate a noticeable increase in the number of detained children by the end of 2025.
During 2025, these institutions documented approximately 1,655 cases of arrest in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, among them 650 children. It is noted that these figures do not include cases of arrest from the Gaza Strip.
The data further indicate that Israeli forces arrested more than 600 Palestinian children during the same year, of whom 350 remained in detention by the end of the year.
Documented information indicates that the majority of children were arrested during nighttime raids on their homes, which involved measures including:
Testimonies indicate that a number of children were interrogated without the presence of a parent or a lawyer, in the absence of the safeguards afforded to juveniles. According to these accounts, the interrogations were accompanied by:
Available data indicate that children are deprived of their right to education during their period of detention and of an environment that takes into account their age-specific and psychological needs.
Testimonies from released child detainees have also documented noticeable weight loss, sleep disturbances, and recurrent episodes of fear and anxiety—effects that raise concerns about potential long-term psychological consequences.
In March 2025, the death of the child Walid Abdullah Ahmad Khaled (17 years old) was announced while he was held in Megiddo Prison. He had been arrested as a minor and detained under harsh conditions, without the publication of detailed information regarding the circumstances of his death or the findings of an independent investigation.
This case raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of investigative mechanisms and the safeguards available to protect detained children.
The recurring arrest of children, their deprivation of basic procedural safeguards, and their exposure to coercive interrogation practices indicate a pattern that extends beyond isolated cases. The expanding use of administrative detention against children also raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the principle that the detention of a child should be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period of time.
These practices constitute a potential violation of:
• Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
• Relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly those concerning guarantees of a fair trial and the prohibition of cruel treatment.
The report documents that Palestinian female detainees were subjected to multiple violations with gender-based dimensions during 2025.
During the year, over 200 cases of arrest of Palestinian women were recorded, while the number of detainees by the end of the year reached approximately 49, including minors, mothers, and women held under administrative detention without charge or trial.
Specialized institutions emphasize that these figures do not cover all detention cases, particularly those from Gaza Strip, given the existence of temporary detentions and the lack of full transparency regarding places of detention.
Documented testimonies from released female detainees indicate that strip searches were used repeatedly, and in some cases without a clear security justification.
Rula Hasanin (30 years old) – Ramallah
In her testimony following her release in January 2025, she reported that she, along with other female detainees, was forced to undergo a strip search prior to transfer from Damon Prison, which included the removal of her hijab and clothing under the supervision of female prison guards.
Consistent testimonies indicate that access to essential sanitary supplies during menstruation was restricted or denied, causing both physical and psychological suffering for the female detainees.
Testimonies documented cases of insufficient food in terms of both quantity and quality, leading to noticeable weight loss and physical exhaustion.
Tasneem Marwan Al-Hams (22 years old) – Khan Yunis, Southern Gaza Strip
In her documented testimony following her release, she reported experiencing health deterioration and was transferred to a hospital after release due to evident physical weakness.
Testimonies revealed:
Information indicates that some pregnant detainees were subjected to psychological pressure amid the absence of adequate medical safeguards.
Documented testimonies indicate that some female detainees were subjected to sexual threats or humiliating practices during interrogation or searches. In several accounts, these incidents were described as sexual assaults carried out within the detention context and under the full control of the authorities in charge, which may legally constitute sexual violence under international law.
The recurrence of such incidents across multiple prisons, coupled with the absence of information on effective independent investigations, points to consistent risks to the safety and dignity of female detainees within the detention system.
These practices constitute a potential violation of:
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
• The Convention Against Torture.
• Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• The Fourth Geneva Convention.
When such acts are carried out on a widespread and systematic scale, within the context of an armed conflict and occupation, they may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, and give rise to individual criminal accountability.
Sick Prisoners
Data from prisoner-related institutions indicate the presence of hundreds of detainees suffering from chronic and serious illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and neurological disorders, as well as injuries resulting from arrest or torture.
Information also points to cases of delayed medical examinations or treatment, or merely providing painkillers without addressing the underlying medical condition.
The recurrence of these cases, combined with instances of deaths in detention, raises serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the healthcare system within detention facilities and the respect for detainees’ right to health.
Elderly Detainees
The report documents the continued detention of dozens of elderly prisoners, some of whom are over seventy years old, and who suffer from chronic illnesses or physical disabilities, without the existence of special arrangements that take their health conditions into account.
Conclusion
The data concerning children, female prisoners, sick detainees, and elderly prisoners indicate consistent risks regarding the compliance of detaining authorities with their international obligations. If these practices are found to be carried out on a widespread or systematic basis, they may amount to serious violations of international law, including war crimes or crimes against humanity under relevant international standards.
The report documents multiple deaths in Israeli prisons and detention camps during 2025, within a detention system marked by escalating allegations of torture and ill-treatment, medical neglect, starvation, and a lack of transparency regarding detention locations.
During the year, deaths of Palestinian prisoners were announced, with detailed information about the circumstances of death absent in several cases, independent and public investigations lacking, and complete medical records not made available to families or independent bodies.
These findings raise serious concerns about the extent to which the detaining authorities comply with their obligations to protect the right to life and ensure the safety of detainees.
Data from prisoner organizations indicate that the number of Palestinian prisoner deaths since 1967 has exceeded 300 cases.
The data also point to a marked increase in deaths from October 7, 2023 until the end of 2025, particularly among detainees from the Gaza Strip, including individuals who were held in enforced disappearance for periods before their deaths were announced, or whose deaths were declared without sufficient details about the circumstances of their detention.
Analysis of the reported cases in 2025 reveals recurring patterns, notably:
In numerous cases, bodies were either not returned to families promptly or were handed over only after extended periods, without the release of independent medical reports or clear autopsy findings.
This practice results in:
|
|
Name |
Age |
City |
Date of death |
Date of announcement |
Place of detention |
|
1 |
Amro Hatem Odeh |
33 |
Gaza |
13/12/2023 |
22/5/2025 |
Sdy Timan |
|
2 |
Ayman Abdelhadi Qudeih |
56 |
Gaza |
12/10/2023 |
15/5/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
3 |
Bilal Talal Salameh |
24 |
Gaza |
11/8/2024 |
15/5/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
4 |
Muhammad Ismail Al-Astal |
46 |
Gaza |
2/5/2025 |
15/5/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
5 |
Muhammad Sharif Al-Asali |
35 |
Gaza |
17/5/2024 |
29/01/2025 |
Ashkelon |
|
6 |
Ibrahim Adnan Ashour |
25 |
Gaza |
23/6/2024 |
29/01/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
7 |
Muhammad Yaseen Khalil Jabr |
22 |
Bethlehem |
18/1/2025 |
18/1/2025 |
Negev Prison |
|
8 |
Musab Hani Haniyeh |
35 |
Gaza |
2025 |
5/1/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
9 |
Muhammad Ibrahim Hussein Abu Habl |
70 |
Gaza |
4/6/2025 |
10/1/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
10 |
Sael Rajab Abu Nasr |
60 |
Gaza |
21/1/2025 |
30/7/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
11 |
Ali Ashour Ali Al-Battash |
62 |
Gaza |
21/2/2025 |
21/2/2025 |
Soroka |
|
12 |
Khaled Mahmoud Qassem Abdullah |
40 |
Jenin |
23/2/2025 |
3/3/2025 |
Megiddo Prison |
|
13 |
Raafat Adnan Abu Fanuneh |
34 |
Gaza |
26/2/2025 |
26/2/2025 |
Assaf Harofeh |
|
14 |
Walid Khaled Abdullah Ahmad |
17 |
Ramallah |
24/3/2025 |
24/3/2025 |
Megiddo Prison |
|
15 |
Musab Hasan Adaily |
20 |
Nablus |
17/4/2025 |
17/4/2025 |
Soroka |
|
16 |
Nasser Khalil Rdaideh |
49 |
Bethlehem |
20/4/2025 |
20/4/2025 |
Hadassah |
|
17 |
Raed Ismail Asa’asa |
57 |
Tulkarm |
13/6/2025 |
13/6/2025 |
Israeli Hospital |
|
18 |
Louay Faisal Muhammad Nasrallah |
22 |
Jenin |
30/6/2025 |
30/6/2025 |
Soroka |
|
19 |
Samir Muhammad Youssef Al-Rifai |
53 |
Jenin |
17/7/2025 |
17/7/2025 |
Israeli Hospital |
|
20 |
Ahmed Saeed Saleh Tazzazah |
20 |
Jenin |
3/8/2025 |
3/8/2025 |
Megiddo Prison |
|
21 |
Musab Abdel Moneim Al-Aida |
20 |
Hebron |
25/8/2025 |
25/8/2025 |
Sha’arei Tsedek |
|
22 |
Ahmed Hatem Muhammad Khudairat |
22 |
Hebron |
7/10/2025 |
7/10/2025 |
Soroka |
|
23 |
Kamel Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Ajrami |
69 |
Gaza |
10/10/2025 |
20/10/2025 |
Soroka |
|
24 |
Mahmoud Talal Abdullah |
49 |
Jenin |
19/10/2025 |
19/10/2025 |
Assaf Harofeh |
|
25 |
Muhammad Hussein Muhammad Ghawadra |
63 |
Jenin |
2/11/2025 |
2/11/2025 |
Janot Prison |
|
26 |
Tayseer Saeed Al-Abed Sabbaba |
60 |
Gaza |
31/12/2024 |
4/12/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
27 |
Khalil Ahmed Khalil Haniyeh |
35 |
Gaza |
25/12/2024 |
4/12/2025 |
Israeli Prisons |
|
28 |
Abdulrahman Sufyan Al-Sabatin |
21 |
Bethlehem |
10/12/2025 |
10/12/2025 |
Sha’arei Tsedek |
|
29 |
Sakher Ahmed Za’oul |
26 |
Bethlehem |
24/12/2025 |
24/12/2025 |
Ofer Prison |
|
30 |
Firas Ahmed Sobh |
47 |
Tubas |
17/07/2025 |
17/07/2025 |
Israeli Hospitals |
|
31 |
Moataz Abu Zneid |
35 |
Hebron |
13/01/2025 |
13/01/2025 |
Soroka Hospital |
|
32 |
Mohyuddin Fahmi Saeed Najm |
60 |
Jenin |
04/05/2025 |
04/05/2025 |
Soroka |
Analytical Observations on the Table
The table indicates that several prisoners had died in 2023 and 2024, while the official announcements of their deaths were issued only in 2025, in some cases after significant delays of several months.
Such delays raise concerns regarding:
Available information indicates that official announcements are often issued in brief form, without the publication of independent medical reports or autopsy findings, and typically note that “an investigation is ongoing.” Such practices may undermine the effectiveness of investigations and prolong the absence of accountability.
The table shows that a significant proportion of the cases involve detainees from the Gaza Strip, within a detention context marked by a lack of transparency, instances of enforced disappearance in some cases, and detention in military camps or closed facilities.
In a number of cases, delayed announcements coincide with deaths that occurred shortly after arrest, or in the context of deteriorating health conditions or detention under harsh circumstances. This underscores the need for independent and effective investigations into all cases of death in custody.
The recurrence of deaths, delays in announcing them, and the lack of transparency regarding their circumstances—occurring within a detention context that in several instances lacks effective independent oversight—indicates a recurring administrative pattern in the management of deaths in places of detention.
The association of these cases with the absence of independent and public investigations further heightens concerns about structural shortcomings in ensuring the right to life and the safety of detainees.
Deaths in places of detention, where they are found to be linked to torture, medical neglect, or ill-treatment, or where independent and effective investigations are not conducted, may constitute:
When such acts are carried out on a widespread or systematic basis, they may amount to War Crimes or Crimes Against Humanity under relevant international standards, and may entail the accountability of those responsible.
Available figures indicate that the number of withheld bodies has reached 770, distributed between so-called “cemeteries of numbers” and morgue facilities. Of these, 256 bodies are held in the cemeteries of numbers, while 514 bodies have been withheld since the reintroduction of the policy of retaining bodies in 2015.
The data further indicate that among the withheld bodies are 76 children under the age of eighteen and 10 women, in addition to 94 prisoners who died in custody.
Information from families, lawyers, and human rights organizations indicates that some of the bodies that were returned bore:
Reports further document that the return of some bodies occurred under one or more of the following conditions:
Available information indicates that the withholding of bodies intersects, in a number of cases, with deaths occurring in custody or in contexts involving allegations of torture, medical neglect, or the excessive use of force.
In cases involving prisoners who died in detention, the continued retention of the body obstructs independent verification of the cause of death and restricts families’ access to full information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death.
The prolonged retention of a large number of bodies over several years, coupled with the repeated practice of releasing them under restrictions or without adequate medical information, points to a consistent and systematic administrative pattern in handling this matter.
The policy’s application to specially protected groups, including children and women, underscores both its wide-ranging impact and its methodical enforcement.
The retention of bodies, the failure to release them without a lawful justification, or the restriction of families’ right to receive and bury them with dignity, constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, in particular:
When the retention of bodies coincides with deaths suspected to be linked to torture, deliberate killing, or gross negligence, or is used to obstruct investigations, it may constitute a serious violation that warrants accountability under relevant international standards.
Table of Withheld Bodies
|
Category |
Number |
Documentation Notes |
|
Total withheld bodies |
770 bodies |
Cumulative number of bodies held in cemeteries of numbers and morgues |
|
Held in cemeteries of numbers |
256 bodies |
Secret cemeteries where names are replaced with numbers |
|
Withheld since 2015 |
514 bodies |
Bodies withheld since the reintroduction of the policy in 2015 |
|
Prisoners who died in custody |
94 bodies |
According to prisoner organizations |
|
Children’s bodies |
76 bodies |
Children under 18 years of age |
|
Women |
10 bodies |
Female bodies |
|
Recently released bodies |
150 bodies |
Bodies released under conditions after periods of retention |
|
Still withheld |
Majority |
Bodies not yet released |
The report documents an escalation in measures imposed on leader prisoners and those serving life or long-term sentences in Israeli prisons during 2025. Available data indicate that this group was subjected to strict and repeated measures affecting their detention conditions, transfers, and communication rights—sometimes exceeding the restrictions applied to other prisoners.
Available information suggests that these measures are not only based on individual considerations but are part of an internal management strategy targeting prisoners who hold organizational or representative roles within the prisons. This may affect the internal structure of the prisoner movement and the mechanisms for collective representation of detainees.
Prisoner rights organizations reported that in 2025, Marwan Barghouti was subjected to heightened restrictive measures, including solitary confinement, limitations on communication, and allegations of physical assault and medical neglect.
Given his prominent leadership role within the prisons, the nature and intensity of these measures raise serious concerns about their proportionality and necessity, particularly in light of reports indicating a decline in his health and the absence of regular, adequate medical care.
This case, viewed in the context of broader testimonies and data, is understood within a pattern of escalating restrictions imposed on prisoners classified as “leaders” or serving life sentences.
Data from prisoner organizations indicate that in 2025, this group was subjected to a series of recurring measures, including:
Testimonies indicate that in some cases, these measures are applied simultaneously, undermining the ability of leader prisoners to exercise any representative or organizational role within the prisons.
This pattern of measures intersects with an official political and media discourse that intensified during 2025, calling for stricter detention conditions for prisoners classified as “leaders” or serving life sentences, including the reduction of their privileges or their isolation from other detainees.
This broader context supports the analytical conclusion that the restrictions imposed do not appear incidental or purely individual in all cases, but are linked to a general policy trend aimed at tightening detention conditions specifically for this group.
The repeated use of solitary confinement, arbitrary transfers, strict communication restrictions, and recurring allegations of physical assaults or medical neglect points to a consistent administrative pattern in the treatment of leader prisoners and those serving long-term or life sentences.
The concentration of these measures on a specific group due to their symbolic or organizational role raises concerns about the use of detention measures as a tool to restrict internal organization and expression within detention facilities.
When substantiated, the documented practices constitute violations of several international obligations, notably:
This report documents prisoner exchange deals and releases carried out during 2025, recognizing them as a significant milestone in the trajectory of the Palestinian prisoners’ issue, both in terms of the number of detainees released and the nature, conditions, and subsequent impact of their release.
These exchanges occurred within a complex political and security context, where the release of prisoners was used as part of negotiation arrangements and, in most cases, was not linked to independent judicial reviews of the lawfulness of detention or to the implementation of legal obligations incumbent on the occupying power under international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Available data indicate that, despite their humanitarian significance, the releases did not lead to a sustained reduction in the overall number of prisoners, as they coincided with ongoing large-scale arrest campaigns. This reflects the continued management of the detention system through multiple mechanisms, including exchanges and phased releases.
Number of Released Prisoners
According to data from organizations specializing in prisoner affairs, a total of 3,745 prisoners were released in 2025 through exchange deals and phased releases implemented in multiple stages.
Available information indicates that these releases were not based on independent judicial decisions examining the lawfulness of detention in each individual case, but were carried out within the framework of political and security arrangements.
This figure does not reflect a dismantling of the detention system, but rather coincides with the continuation of arrest policies, including administrative detention and re-arrests.
The 2025 exchange deals covered multiple categories of prisoners, including:
Conversely, large segments of the prisoner population remained outside the scope of releases, particularly many administrative detainees, and in some cases, previously released prisoners were re-arrested.
Available data indicate that a number of releases were accompanied by conditions that effectively restricted the freedom of the released prisoners, including:
Prisoner organizations also documented the re-arrest of dozens of released individuals within weeks or months of their release. In some cases, they were immediately placed under administrative detention without formal charges or trial.
This pattern raises serious concerns regarding the legal stability of released prisoners and undermines the finality and effectiveness of the release process.
Some of the exchange deals were accompanied by instances of forced displacement, either to areas outside the Palestinian territories or to locations within them that are not their original places of residence.
This practice deprives the released individuals of their right to return to their homes and to fully reunite with their families.
The transfer or deportation of protected persons is prohibited under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, whether carried out individually or collectively, regardless of the negotiation context in which it occurred.
The concurrence of releases with ongoing detention, the imposition of restrictive conditions, and the re-arrest of some individuals points to a pattern in which tools of detention and phased release overlap, without addressing the underlying legal basis of the detention itself.
The use of forced displacement and subsequent restrictions raises serious questions about the compatibility of release mechanisms with fundamental guarantees of personal liberty and legal security.
Prisoner exchange deals, in principle, do not:
International humanitarian law and human rights law require that the release of detained persons be non-arbitrary and not accompanied by measures that undermine the essence of the right to liberty or serve as an extension of punishment outside a lawful judicial framework.
Accordingly, any violations that accompany or follow a release may be considered a continuation of the original violation, rather than its resolution.
Table: Statistical Indicators on Prisoner Exchange Deals in 2025
|
Category |
Number |
Documentation Notes |
|
Total number of prisoners released |
3,745 |
Through exchange deals and phased releases |
|
Prisoners from the Gaza Strip |
2,600 |
Represented the largest proportion |
|
Prisoners from the West Bank and Jerusalem |
900 |
From multiple areas |
|
Female prisoners |
80 |
Released after periods of harsh detention |
|
Children (under 18) |
320 |
Detained under conditions violating juvenile protection standards |
|
Sick and elderly prisoners |
150 |
Some released following deterioration in health |
|
Prisoners serving long-term or life sentences |
120 |
Some had spent decades in prison |
|
Prisoners detained before the Oslo Accords |
20 |
A limited, symbolic number |
|
Released prisoners who were re-arrested |
Dozens of cases |
Some placed under administrative detention |
|
Cases of forced displacement |
40–60 |
To locations outside or within the Palestinian territories |
|
Released prisoners subjected to restrictions and monitoring |
Hundreds of cases |
Movement restrictions, security summons, and threats |
The year 2025 witnessed developments of qualitative significance within the broader pattern of violations committed against Palestinian prisoners and detainees. These developments were not limited to practices inside places of detention but were also linked to publicly articulated political discourse, legislative initiatives, and official statements issued by government officials.
The interconnection between official rhetoric and practices on the ground points to a political and legal environment that weakens the legal protections afforded to persons protected under international humanitarian law and heightens the risk of serious violations occurring without effective accountability.
In this context, the public role played by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, is particularly notable through statements and initiatives related to tightening detention conditions and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
During 2025, a bill was reintroduced in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, that would allow the imposition of the death penalty on Palestinians in cases defined as “terrorist acts.” The proposal received explicit political support from the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The reintroduction of the bill occurred amid a broader escalation of violations reported within places of detention, including allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect.
The imposition of the death penalty in a context of military occupation raises serious legal concerns under international humanitarian law, particularly under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which imposes strict limitations on trials and penalties imposed on protected persons.
Moreover, expanding the use of capital punishment in the context of an armed conflict may raise concerns regarding the risk of arbitrary deprivation of the right to life, as guaranteed under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
During 2025, public statements were issued by government officials, including the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling for stricter detention conditions for prisoners, reductions in food provisions, and the imposition of additional restrictions.
Video footage was also circulated showing official visits to detention facilities, within a broader discourse characterized by a hardline stance toward Palestinian prisoners.
International criminal law indicates that public incitement to commit crimes, where its elements are established, may give rise to individual criminal responsibility.
Moreover, rhetoric that dehumanizes a protected group may contribute to creating an environment that facilitates the commission of serious violations.
In 2025, video material emerged from a military detention facility showing severe physical assaults against detainees. Palestinian human rights organizations also documented testimonies from released female and male prisoners who reported being subjected to forms of sexual violence during detention.
The testimony of an 18-year-old male prisoner (M.A.) was also documented. He reported being subjected to sexual assault involving the forced insertion of a hard object into the anus, and indicated that similar practices were carried out against other detainees.
These allegations require an independent and effective criminal investigation in accordance with international standards.
Media reports during 2025 referred to a proposal attributed to the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, suggesting the establishment of a detention facility surrounded by water-filled trenches containing crocodiles as a deterrent measure.
Even if not implemented, such a proposal reflects rhetoric based on symbolic intimidation and raises concerns regarding the use of threats involving predatory animals as a form of psychological deterrence.
Subjecting detainees to threats or any form of degrading or inhuman treatment is prohibited under the Convention Against Torture and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).
Video clips circulated during 2025 showing threatening statements directed at released prisoners. If verified, such incidents raise serious concerns regarding the safety of released individuals, particularly in light of reports of re-arrests or the imposition of post-release restrictions.
During 2025, images circulated of released prisoners displaying signs of severe weight loss and significant health deterioration. In addition, some of the bodies that were returned showed marks of restraint and visible injuries.
These visual materials constitute supporting indicators for testimonies referring to starvation, ill-treatment, and medical neglect.
If it is established that the deterioration in health conditions resulted from the deliberate deprivation of food or medical treatment, this may amount to:
• cruel or inhuman treatment;
• a war crime if starvation was used as a punitive measure.
In 2025, reports indicated that civilian vessels participating in the Freedom Flotilla were intercepted and international activists on board were detained.
According to available reports, the interceptions occurred in international waters, and some detainees were initially denied free access to lawyers or to their diplomatic representatives.
The interception of civilian vessels in international waters may constitute a violation of the law of the sea if it lacks a recognized legal basis.
Furthermore, the detention of civilians without adequate legal guarantees may amount to arbitrary detention in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The events documented during 2025 reflect a clear intersection between:
• public political rhetoric,
• legislative initiatives, and
• practices inside places of detention.
This convergence suggests the existence of an institutional environment that weakens the legal protections afforded to protected persons and increases the risk of serious violations.
These developments underscore the need for:
• independent international investigative mechanisms;
• individual criminal accountability where sufficient evidence exists; and
• urgent protection guarantees for prisoners and released detainees.
The continued international silence, or the mere issuance of statements of concern, cannot be considered a neutral position; rather, it effectively contributes to the perpetuation of these crimes.
Ensuring justice for Palestinian prisoners is therefore not only a moral demand but also a binding obligation under international law that is not subject to limitation.
The International Organization for Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners (Tadamon) affirms that this report is presented as a human rights indictment and a clear call for responsibility and concrete action to bring an end to a detention system that has become one of the most serious manifestations of ongoing international crimes in the modern era.
Conclusion
This report concludes that the violations documented during 2025—including torture, sexual violence, medical neglect, starvation, prolonged solitary confinement, enforced disappearance, deaths in detention, and the withholding of bodies—cannot be regarded as isolated incidents or individual failures.
The data and analysis of recurring patterns indicate the existence of a detention system characterized by its widespread and systematic nature, lacking the fundamental protections guaranteed to persons under international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Furthermore, the interplay between public political rhetoric, legislative developments, and practices within detention facilities reflects an institutional environment that undermines accountability and entrenches impunity.
In the absence of independent and effective domestic investigations, there is a clear need for international intervention grounded in the rules of international law to ensure:
• immediate protection for prisoners and detainees,
• accountability of those responsible for violations, and
• prevention of recurrence of such practices in the future.
Recommendations
Activate the mandates of:
Include the situation of Palestinian prisoners as a permanent agenda item within monitoring mechanisms related to the occupied Palestinian territory.
-Torture
-Sextual Violence
-Delibrate Starvation
-Dethes In Detention
-Enforced Disappearances
-Withholding of bodies
b. Examine individual and command responsibility of decision-makers, instigators, and those executing the acts.
c. Investigate allegations of sexual violence as war crimes, which may rise to crimes against humanity if proven systematic or widespread.
Establish an independent mechanism to collect and preserve evidence of violations within detention facilities, including:
1. Legal And Structural Reforms
Sources and References
This report draws on multiple institutional and human rights sources, alongside documented field testimonies, collected and analyzed according to established human rights documentation standards, consistent with methodologies used in United Nations and other international human rights reports. The sources include:
All testimonies included in this report are verified and archived by the International Organization of Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners (Tadamon).
These accounts were collected during 2024–2025 through direct interviews with released prisoners, their families, or legal representatives. Collection followed established human rights documentation standards, ensuring confidentiality, witness protection, and avoidance of any harm.
Testimonies are presented in the report in a concise and analytical form, while full details are provided in the annexes where appropriate.