Since the outbreak of hostilities on 7 October 2023, Israel has suspended access for the ICRC to visit Palestinian detainees held in Israeli custody — a move the humanitarian organisation says contravenes international obligations.
Prior to the ban, the ICRC routinely visited Palestinian detainees across Israeli and occupied-territory facilities, facilitated thousands of family visits, and monitored detention conditions.
With the suspension in place, detainees have been left without the independent oversight that the ICRC provides, raising concerns about treatment, conditions and transparency of legal processes.
Israel, in response, has indicated it plans to establish an “external party” mechanism to take over the role of the ICRC for visits and complaints — but the new framework remains undefined and without formal implementation as of now.
Human rights groups argue that replacing the ICRC undermines the established standards of neutrality and access granted under the Geneva Conventions.
In sum, the suspension of ICRC visits to Palestinian prisoners has triggered mounting criticism from international observers and human rights organisations, who view it as a serious erosion of detainee protection mechanisms during an active conflict.
