Israel's top court says government is not giving Palestinian prisoners enough food

"Since the war began, Israel has seized thousands of people in Gaza that it suspects of having links to Hamas. Thousands have also been released without charge, often after months of detention. Rights groups have documented widespread abuse in prisons and detention facilities, including insufficient food and health care, as well as poor sanitary conditions and beatings. In March, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy died at an Israeli prison and doctors said starvation was likely the main cause of death."

"In Sunday's ruling, the panel of three justices ruled unanimously that the state is legally obliged to provide prisoners with enough food to ensure a basic level of existence. They said they had found real doubts that prisoners were eating properly, and ordered the prison service to take steps to ensure the supply of food that allows for basic subsistence conditions in accordance with the law."

The Supreme Court ruled that the government failed to provide Palestinian security prisoners with adequate food for basic subsistence and ordered authorities to improve nutrition. The decision is a rare judicial rebuke of government conduct during the nearly two-year war. Since the war began, thousands of people in Gaza have been seized, with many released without charge after prolonged detention. Rights groups documented widespread prison abuse including insufficient food, poor health care, unsanitary conditions and beatings. A petition by ACRI and Gisha argued post-war food policy changes caused malnutrition. The court found indications the current food supply may not meet legal standards and mandated corrective steps.

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