Palestinians in Israeli custody

The future of Palestinians detained by Israel in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is considered central to progress in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. Cases of prison sentences include the charges of "terrorism" or being a member of an "illegal terrorist organization", such as Hamas or, prior to the Oslo Accords, the Palestine Liberation Organization; but, according to some accounts, also the charge of political activism, such as raising a Palestinian flag.

In April 2022, there were 4,450 Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli prisons – including 160 children, 32 women, and over 1,000 "administrative detainees" (indefinitely incarcerated without charge). According to B'tselem, since the outbreak of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023, Palestinian prisoners with Israeli citizenship have been stripped of many of their rights. The organization reported institutionalized abuse of detainees, characterizing the prisons as "torture camps".

In December 2011, 4,772 Palestinian security prisoners were serving terms in Israeli prisons. Out of those, 552 were sentenced to life terms. By July 2024, there were 9,623 Palestinians incarcerated by Israel, 4,781 in administrative detention, for alleged security reasons.

Overview

The Israeli military court system for the occupied territories, modeled partially on the British military court system set up in 1937, was established in 1967, and had been called the institutional centerpiece of the occupation, and within it West Bank Palestinians are treated as "foreign civilians".

The measures it applies, combining elements of colonial administration and martial law, cover not only incidents involving recourse to violence but many other activities, non-violent protests, political and cultural statements and the way Palestinians are allowed to move or associate with each other.