Israeli security forces cordon off the site of a reported attack at the Beit Einun junction, east of the West Bank city of Hebron on April 21, 2024. (Credit: Hazem Bader/AFP)
The Israeli government approved on Thursday a British request to allow foreign observers to visit Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons, according to Times of Israel.
The request was opposed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said he would only give approval if foreign observers were allowed to visit Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, the Maariv newspaper reported.
But despite this opposition, the Israeli Cabinet still managed to approve the plan, which details that an Israeli judge would escort two UK-appointed observers granted permission to visit the detainees, alleged members of Hamas’ Nukhba force responsible for Oct. 7.
In March, it was reported that UK Foreign Minister David Cameron threatened to cut arms supplies to Israel unless either the Red Cross or diplomats be allowed to visit Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Palestinians released from detention have shared their experiences of abuse, torture, and sexual assault at the hands of Israeli prison guards.
Following the Cabinet meeting, an unnamed political official, cited by Israel’s Channel 12 TV outlet clarified that the decision still withholds permission for Red Cross to visit Palestinian detainees “so long as our hostages do not receive such visits.”
“However, the Cabinet determined that an Israeli judge and two British [observers] to be appointed by Israel could review [prison conditions] to prove that Israel is complying with the international standards.”
Around 3,660 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli jails under administrative detention, without charge or trial, according to Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Channel 12 reported that an estimated 300 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in harsh conditions, allegedly arrested on Oct. 7 in the Gaza Envelope (the Israeli villages surrounding the Gaza border). The outlet says that these prisoners are denied access to lawyers and are kept handcuffed all day in dark cells.