Israel has detained more than 2,000 Palestinian children since 2023 — report

At least 350 Palestinian children are currently being held in Israeli prisons. The Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that they are being held in harsh conditions, with cases of torture and deprivation of medical care being observed.

 

According to the organization's report published on Wednesday, Israeli forces have detained more than 2,000 Palestinian children since October 2023. The report emphasized that Israeli officials are intensifying the targeting of Palestinian children.

 

According to the data, at least six children were detained on Tuesday in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The exact number of children detained in the Gaza Strip remains unknown. The organization explained this by the disappearance and forced disappearance of thousands of people, including children.

 

The report noted that detention without announcing charges and without setting a release date deprives children of stability in family life and education.

 

The condition of children in prisons

 

The organization reported that cases of intimidation, torture, starvation, and denial of medical care are being observed in Israeli prisons. The report cited the case of 15-year-old Muhammad Hamid. While being held in Ofer prison, he contracted scabies. Subsequently, he developed severe infections, underwent heart surgery, and was placed in intensive care in critical condition. After that, one of his legs was amputated.

 

It was also noted that 17-year-old Walid Ahmad died in March 2025 after being held for six months in Megiddo prison. In December of that year, an Israeli judge halted the investigation into his death. The judge stated that there was evidence he suffered from starvation, but the exact cause of death had not been definitively determined.

 

American teenagers are also being held in Israeli prisons

 

The report also provided information about teenagers who are US citizens held without charges in Israeli prisons. Muhammad Ibrahim, a Florida resident who was held in Megiddo prison alongside Walid Ahmad, was released following efforts by US organizations and senior legislators.

 

Another American teenager, Abdulkarim Isa Ahmad Safiy, was taken from his home in the West Bank during a night raid in June. After he turned 18 in detention, he was transferred to the adult section of Ofer prison.

 

In July, 16-year-old American Adam Wajeh Abdulfattah Karakrah was detained. After his family paid bail, the teenager was expected to be released in August, but Israeli officials unexpectedly canceled the decision.

 

The Palestinian Prisoners Society called on the international community to take practical measures to release arbitrarily detained children, conduct investigations into violations, and put an end to torture, starvation, and denial of medical care.

 

According to Al Jazeera, since the war that began in October 2023, Israel has detained more than 25,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and thousands more in the Gaza Strip.