Punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners in the occupation’s jails have sharply escalated, prompting warnings from Palestinian rights groups and pro Palestine activists. The new restrictions hit hardest during Ramadan, with detainees facing tighter limits on food, movement, and religious practices, worsening already dire conditions for thousands of prisoners.

The occupation’s security minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced a series of harsh policies, including banning prisoners from keeping personal belongings, closing the prison canteen, limiting hot showers to fifteen minutes a day, and reducing yard time to a single hour. Refrigerators were removed from prison sections and food rations cut to a minimum, while education and prisoner representation programmes were suspended.

Human rights organisations describe these measures as clear violations of international humanitarian law, warning of severe physical and psychological consequences. Pro Palestine activists are calling on the international community to apply urgent pressure on the occupation authorities to halt these punitive measures and ensure prisoners’ rights are respected under the Geneva Conventions.