Israel must allow ICRC to visit Palestinians in prison, Supreme Court rules
Israel's Supreme Court has rejected the government's ban on International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visits to Palestinian detainees, ruling that international law affirms Red Cross access. The court allowed sixty days for implementation.
Al Jazeera StaffA seven-judge panel of Israel's Supreme Court ruled to lift the ICRC visitation ban that had been in place since 2023. Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit wrote in the decision: 'In light of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and Israel's domestic-law obligations, the right of prisoners to be visited by independent humanitarian organisations is fundamental.'
Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin said: 'We are studying the decision and will submit implementation details to the Cabinet within sixty days.' Palestinian Prisoners' Office spokesperson Qadura Fares said: 'It is a step forward for prisoners who have been isolated from their families and humanitarian accountability mechanisms for years.'
ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said: 'The resumption of independent visits is vital for independent humanitarian monitoring.' By contrast, Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum spokesperson Roni Tzfati said: 'The ruling does not address our concerns about the conditions of hostages held by Hamas.' The court's ruling is binding and not subject to appeal. Procedural framing only.
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