Rights group reports “unprecedented violations” against thousands of Palestinian prisoners since exchange deal

The Palestinian Center for the Defence of Prisoners has accused Israeli authorities of carrying out a wave of severe abuses against thousands of Palestinian inmates in the wake of the recent prisoner exchange deal. The group described the measures as reminiscent of the collective punishments imposed during the 1970s.

In a statement released Friday, the center said that conditions in several Israeli prisons have sharply deteriorated, citing escalating violations and retaliatory actions overseen by senior officials in the Israeli Prison Service. According to the center, these officials report directly to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is known for his aggressive policies toward Palestinian detainees.

The statement explained that each visit by Ben-Gvir to detention facilities has been followed by new punitive measures, including restrictions on food, water, clothing, medical care, and exercise time. Prisoners have also reportedly been denied access to lawyers, personal items, toilets, and the ability to practice religious rituals.

The center further warned that overcrowding has become a “deliberate policy,” with prison authorities doubling the number of detainees per cell—forcing many to sleep on bare floors without blankets or mattresses. It added that four surveillance cameras have been installed in each cell, transmitting live audio and video used to monitor and punish prisoners for their conversations.

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