Israel's Supreme Court Mandates Improved Nutrition for Palestinian Prisoners

Thu Oct 23 2025 08:08:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that the state must enhance food provisions for Palestinian prisoners, citing inadequate nutrition as a violation of their rights amidst ongoing conflict and international scrutiny.

Israel's Supreme Court declared that the state is failing to provide sufficient food to Palestinian prisoners, emphasizing the legal obligation to ensure a minimum level of nutrition. Thousands of Palestinians, including those detained since October 2023, have faced inadequate conditions. As ceasefire negotiations remain stalled, the ruling reflects ongoing human rights concerns amidst Israel's intensified military actions in Gaza.

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the state is failing to provide adequate food to Palestinian prisoners, and must take steps to improve their nutrition.

The three-judge bench said on Sunday that the state was legally obligated to provide prisoners with enough nutrition to ensure a basic level of existence.

Thousands of Palestinians have been held in Israeli jails for years, including over terror charges - and thousands more have been detained since the war began in October 2023.

Talks for a ceasefire have stalled but on Sunday night, US President Donald Trump issued a last warning to Hamas, urging them to accept a deal to release Israeli hostages from Gaza.

In a post on Truth Social, he stated that Israel had accepted his terms, and it was time for Hamas to accept them as well. He declared, this is my last warning, there will not be another one!.

Hamas responded in a statement that they were ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table following some American proposals aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement. Trump also expressed optimism about the return of hostages, asserting there would be a deal on Gaza very soon.

Of the 48 hostages still being held in Gaza, as many as 20 are believed to be alive. Israel has yet to formally respond to a proposal that includes the release of some hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast in his position, insisting that total victory over Hamas is necessary to bring the hostages home. However, growing public pressure in Israel is evident, as thousands protested over the weekend, urging an end to military operations in Gaza and calling for negotiations for hostages' release.

Despite international calls for a halt to its offensive in Gaza, Netanyahu stated that the IDF will intensify actions in and around Gaza City, where health officials reported at least 87 casualties over the past 24 hours.

Israel has also denied the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Palestinian detainees since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military campaign against Hamas, leading to significant Palestinian casualties, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.

Human rights groups have long criticized prison conditions and alleged that altered food policies have led to malnutrition and starvation among Palestinian prisoners.

Following the verdict, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), which was involved in the initial petition, called for immediate implementation of the ruling.

Palestinian detainees who have been released previously reported instances of mistreatment and torture in Israeli facilities.

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the ruling, asserting that Israeli hostages in Gaza do not have the protection of the Supreme Court.

As the military campaign continues, the IDF targeted another high-rise building in Gaza City on Sunday, claiming it was used by Hamas for military purposes, a statement refuted by Palestinian authorities.