The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the repressive Israeli measures against Palestinian prisoners and citizens, in the aftermath of the escape of six Palestinian detainees from Gilboa Prison.

IPHRC noted to reports that the Israel Prison Service has sent many Palestinian prisoners to solitary confinement and restricted their access to essential services, describing these measures as an act of collective punishment.

“These retaliatory measures are disproportionate and have no legal basis, and constitute a flagrant violation of international human rights and humanitarian law,” said IPHRC.

IPHRC noted that “the Israeli occupation forces routinely use excessive force against women and children during arrest operations, which often occur in the middle of the night.”

“Israel, the occupying power, has many obligations under the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law, especially Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.”

Yesterday, thousands of Palestinians held protests across the occupied West Bank in support of the six Palestinian freedom fighters, especially the four who were recaptured, amid fears of an Israeli retaliation that has already ushered in the repression of hundreds of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli detention.

Since last week, over 4,500 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons have been facing an Israeli repressive campaign following the escape of the six Palestinian freedom fighters from Gilboa prison.

In response to the Israeli crackdown, the prisoners set fire to detention cells inside the Israeli prisons of Ofer and Kzi’ot in protest against the Israel Prison Service’s repressive measures, which included sending many prisoners to solitary confinement and restricting prisoners’ access to essential services.