Israeli authorities carried out 530 detentions across the West Bank in April, including 60 children and 18 women, as part of an ongoing campaign of mass arrests and military escalation against Palestinian communities.

The cities of Jenin and Tulkarm experienced violent field operations, with executions, forced displacement, and widespread infrastructure destruction reported. Hundreds of detainees—including women and children—were subjected to physical and psychological abuse, field interrogations, and used as human shields.

Since October 7, 2023, the number of Palestinians detained in the West Bank alone has risen to approximately 17,000, while figures for Gaza detainees remain uncertain but estimated in the thousands.

Increase in Administrative Detentions

Palestinian prisoners’ rights organizations report a record surge in administrative detention orders, with 3,577 prisoners held without trial, including more than 100 children—the highest number since the occupation began.

Testimonies from detainees exposed torture, starvation, medical neglect, and degrading prison conditions, with reports of scabies outbreaks in Naqab and Megiddo prisons, as detainees face deliberate health violations.

Deaths and Calls for International Action

Two Palestinians died in Israeli custody in April, while families of Gaza detainees received unconfirmed notifications of their relatives’ deaths. Autopsy results of Walid Ahmad, a minor who died in detention in March, confirmed deliberate starvation as the cause—further evidence of organized crimes against prisoners.

35 Palestinian women remain imprisoned in Damon Prison, including two pregnant detainees and one cancer patient, facing collective isolation, deprivation of basic necessities, enforced hunger, and medical neglect.

At least 400 children remain behind bars, including over 100 held without charges, enduring abuse, starvation, and denial of education and healthcare.

Palestinian prisoner associations warn that time is running out for detainees, urging immediate international intervention to end the systematic violations in Israeli prisons.

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