Israel faces criticism over prison conditions and West Bank settler violence

Israeli prison conditions West Bank settler violence Itamar Ben-Gvir Palestinian journalists East Jerusalem curriculum

Tensions continue to escalate in the Palestinian territories as reports emerge of deteriorating conditions in Israeli prisons and increased violence in the West Bank. Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tavil has been placed in solitary confinement at Ramle Prison following her transfer from Damon Prison. The Palestinian Prisoners Society has accused Israeli authorities of implementing policies of starvation, medical deprivation, and isolation, noting that scabies has spread among female detainees due to poor hygiene.

In the West Bank, settler violence is drawing condemnation from former Israeli military officials. Former Brigadier General Ephraim Sneh described recent settler attacks as 'clearly ethnic cleansing,' while former General Eyal Ben-Reuven stated that civilian settler actions pose a greater security threat to Israel than Iran or Gaza. Reports also indicate increased raids in Nablus and Jenin, including an incident where a mosque in Bazariya was set on fire by settlers.

In East Jerusalem, Hamas officials have criticized the expansion of the Zionist curriculum in official schools. Data presented to the Knesset shows that the proportion of schools teaching this curriculum rose from 23% in the 2023/2024 academic year to 36% in early 2026. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has reportedly instructed his team to stop promoting a controversial proposal to surround prisons with crocodile-filled ditches to avoid political backlash and loss of votes.

Entities

Bushra al-Tavil · East Jerusalem · Ephraim Sneh · Eyal Ben-Reuven · Hamas · Itamar Ben-Gvir · Knesset · West Bank

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Hamas official Harun Nasreddin stated that the imposition of the Israeli curriculum is a systematic project to erase consciousness and consolidate the occupation. www.haksozhaber.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Official data presented to the Knesset in January 2026 shows the proportion of official schools in East Jerusalem teaching the Zionist curriculum rose from 23% to 36% between the 2023/2024 and www.haksozhaber.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former Brigadier General and Health Minister Ephraim Sneh described the settler attacks in the West Bank as 'clearly ethnic cleansing'. www.karar.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former General Eyal Ben-Reuven stated that the actions of civilian settlers in the West Bank pose a greater threat to Israel than Iran, Gaza, or Lebanon. www.karar.com
[● 2 SOURCES] National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir instructed his team to stop promoting a plan to dig crocodile-filled ditches around prisons to avoid losing votes. www.guvengazetesi.com.tr · www.ortadogugazetesi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tavil was placed in solitary confinement at Ramle Prison following her transfer from Damon Prison. www.turkgun.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Scabies has spread among female prisoners due to poor hygiene and inadequate health conditions in Israeli prisons. www.turkgun.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Israeli authorities are accused of using policies including starvation, deprivation of medical treatment, and isolation in prisons. www.turkgun.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.yenicaggazetesi.com