Israel Supreme Court Orders Red Cross Access to Palestinian Detainees

Israel’s Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously struck down a government policy that barred the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons and detention centers. The court said the ban violated Israeli and international law and ordered the government to repeal it and allow ICRC access. The restriction had been imposed after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

The ruling followed a petition filed in February 2024 by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) along with other rights groups. The court said the government had not provided a legal basis for cancelling the visits.

The ICRC welcomed the decision and said it was ready to resume visits. It said access to detainees and the ability to meet them privately are obligations under international law, and it is continuing discussions with Israeli authorities to restart its work in detention facilities.

Ban and scope of the decision

The ban marked the first time in 50 years that Israel prevented Red Cross visits to Palestinian detainees, according to ACRI. Before the restrictions were imposed, ICRC visits and the sharing of information about detainees were standard practice, the groups said.

ACRI said the decision affects more than 9,000 Palestinian “security prisoners” held in Israeli facilities. The state sought multiple extensions before a hearing was held, according to the petitioners.

International scrutiny of detention conditions

The ruling comes amid heightened international attention on the treatment of Palestinian detainees. A recent United Nations report on conflict-related sexual violence verified in 2025 cited allegations of torture and sexual violence by Israeli armed forces and security forces primarily during detention and interrogation across several sites, including the Sde Teiman military camp.

Attention is also focused on whether and when ICRC visits will resume in practice and how the government implements the court’s order in detention facilities.