Minister Ben‑Gvir Extends Ban on Visits to Palestinian Prisoners

Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben‑Gvir announced on his Telegram channel that the order prohibiting family visits to Palestinian prisoners classified as “security detainees” has been extended for an additional month. The extension continues a policy that isolates detainees from external contact and limits oversight by humanitarian organisations.

The move follows a recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling that declared a previous ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting prisoners illegal. Despite the court decision, the government has maintained the broader restriction on family visits. Palestinian prisoners’ rights advocates, including the head of the Prisoners’ Affairs Authority, have urged the ICRC to issue a clear response and call for the restoration of visitation rights, warning that the continued isolation hampers monitoring of detention conditions and violates international humanitarian law.