New Restrictions at Israel's Ofer Prison Prompt International Calls for Action

The administration of Ofer Prison in the West Bank has introduced harsh measures that limit Palestinian detainees' access to legal counsel. Meeting times with lawyers have been reduced to a few minutes and the interview rooms are now equipped with security cameras.

Health conditions in the facility have also deteriorated, with reports of a renewed scabies outbreak, significant weight loss and extreme fatigue among prisoners. Additional allegations include constant handcuffing during transfers and degrading treatment.

Hamas has condemned the actions as "severe and demeaning violations" of international law and urged the United Nations and all countries to pressure Israel to halt the practices. The crackdown follows the 2022 appointment of far‑right security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir, which human‑rights groups say coincided with a worsening of conditions for the roughly 9,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, including women and children.