Occupied Territories, December 31, 2025 – Palestinian rights organizations have released a damning report detailing a surge in arrests and a tragic increase in prisoner deaths within Israeli detention facilities throughout 2025. The report highlights allegations of systematic abuse, medical negligence, and dire conditions faced by Palestinian detainees.
According to the joint findings of several prominent organizations, Israeli authorities arrested approximately 7,000 Palestinians during the year. This figure contributes to a staggering total of over 21,000 arrests since the escalation of conflict began in October 2023. The report specifies that this number includes a significant number of children and women.
The report further states that the total number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails now exceeds 9,300. A concerning proportion of these detainees, roughly 3,350 individuals, are being held under administrative detention orders, meaning they are imprisoned without charge or trial. Furthermore, Israeli authorities have classified over 1,200 prisoners as “unlawful combatants,” a designation that raises serious concerns about due process and fair treatment.
Tragically, the rights groups documented the deaths of 32 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody during 2025. The report claims that a significant number of these deaths were a direct result of torture and medical neglect. The organizations allege that Israeli prisons have become sites of systematic abuse, including denial of basic rights such as adequate food, healthcare, and hygiene products.
The report also raises concerns about the ongoing policy of enforced disappearance, particularly affecting prisoners from Gaza, who are allegedly denied family visits and legal representation. Furthermore, the groups documented the re-arrest of numerous Palestinians, including children and women, who had previously been released in prisoner exchange deals.
These allegations paint a disturbing picture of the treatment of Palestinian prisoners within the Israeli penal system, raising serious questions about adherence to international human rights standards. The rights organizations are calling for immediate investigations into these claims and demanding greater transparency and accountability from Israeli authorities.
