Rights group says 360 Palestinian children are being held in Israeli prisons

The Palestinian Center for the Defence of Prisoners said on Thursday that 360 Palestinian children are currently being held in Israeli prisons, including minors serving sentences and others being held without trial.

In a statement, the independent organisation said that 160 children are serving prison terms, while 90 are being held under administrative detention, a procedure that allows detention without formal charges or trial.

According to the center, child detainees face a range of challenges inside prisons, including overcrowding, limited access to medical care, and the spread of infectious diseases.

“Child prisoners not only face deprivation of liberty, but also endure daily overcrowding, medical neglect, and the spread of infectious diseases, most notably scabies, in addition to punishments, solitary confinement, and violations affecting all aspects of their lives within the prisons;” it said.

The organisation said the impact of detention begins at the time of arrest and continues long after release.

“The suffering of a child prisoner begins from the moment their home is raided and they are arrested. It continues throughout interrogation and detention, leaving deep psychological, educational, and social scars.”

The center also highlighted what it described as mutual support among child detainees despite difficult conditions.

“Despite the harsh prison conditions, the child prisoners continue to build models of mutual support and solidarity among themselves, sharing their suffering and hope, and trying to protect each other from the effects of isolation and solitary confinement.”

According to Palestinian human rights organisations, more than 9,600 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including approximately 350 children and 90 women amid reports of severe torture and medical neglect. 

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