Israel's Supreme Court Demands Improved Food Conditions for Palestinian Prisoners

Wed Oct 22 2025 14:12:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent ruling by Israel's Supreme Court has highlighted the inadequate food provisions provided to Palestinian prisoners, emphasizing the state's legal obligation to ensure their basic nutritional needs are met.

Israel's Supreme Court has mandated improvements in dietary provisions for Palestinian prisoners, following a petition highlighting malnutrition and poor conditions. Thousands remain in detention, raising questions about human rights and the ongoing conflict. As international pressures mount, discussions about a ceasefire continue amidst fears for hostages held by Hamas.

In a significant ruling, Israel's Supreme Court has determined that the state has failed to provide adequate food to Palestinian prisoners, insisting that it must take measures to ensure sufficient nutrition.

The three-judge panel stated that the state is legally required to provide enough nutrition to maintain a basic level of existence for those incarcerated.

Currently, thousands of Palestinians, many detained on terrorism charges, are held in Israeli prisons, alongside many others taken during the ongoing conflict that escalated in October 2023.

While discussions regarding a ceasefire falter, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas, urging them to agree to terms for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza.

Trump asserted on Truth Social that Israel has accepted his proposed terms and warned Hamas that this is my last warning, there will not be another one! Hamas stated its willingness to negotiate towards a ceasefire agreement following suggestions from the US.

Among the 48 hostages in Gaza, as many as 20 are believed to be alive. Israel has not formally responded to proposed deals, but they demand all hostages be returned.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to assert that total victory over Hamas will be the method through which hostages will return home. Mounting pressure has been placed on him at home, where protests erupted urging an end to the hostilities in Gaza.

Despite global calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu has intensified military actions surrounding Gaza, with reports indicating over 64,368 Palestinians have died in the ongoing campaign against Hamas.

Human rights advocacy groups have long denounced the conditions within Israeli prisons, and legal petitions have been filed concerning malnutrition among prisoners. Following the court's ruling, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel has called for immediate implementation of improved food provisions.

Reports from Palestinian detainees suggest mistreatment and torture within Israeli facilities, sparking further outrage.

Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the court's decision, insisting that no such protections exist for Israeli hostages and maintaining enforcement of minimum legal conditions for incarcerated Palestinians.

Further complicating the situation, Israel has denied the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Palestinian detainees since the onset of hostilities.

As violence escalates, Israel's military recently targeted another high-rise building in Gaza City, alleging it was associated with Hamas activities, which the Palestinian interior ministry has staunchly denied.