Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the state is failing to provide adequate food to Palestinian prisoners, and must take steps to improve their nutrition.
The three-judge bench stated that the state is legally obligated to provide prisoners with enough nutrition to ensure 'a basic level of existence'.
Thousands of Palestinians have been held in Israeli jails for years, including over terror charges, and many more have been detained since the war escalated in October 2023.
Amidst this ruling, talks for a ceasefire have stalled. US President Donald Trump issued a 'last warning' to Hamas, urging them to accept a deal regarding Israeli hostages from Gaza.
Trump stated on Truth Social that Israel had accepted his terms, emphasizing that it was time for Hamas to reciprocate. He warned, 'this is my last warning, there will not be another one!', prompting a response from Hamas indicating their readiness to negotiate.
Currently, out of 48 hostages believed to be held in Gaza, about 20 are thought to be alive. As pressure mounts on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amidst public protests calling for an end to the conflict, he maintains that complete victory over Hamas is essential for bringing hostages home.
The Israeli government has continued its military operations in Gaza, as health officials report increased casualties, including at least 87 deaths over a recent period.
Following the court's decision, human rights groups have emphasized the urgency of implementing improvements to food policies for Palestinian detainees, who have long faced criticism over prison conditions.
Moreover, the Israeli government has barred the International Committee of the Red Cross from accessing Palestinian detainees in the wake of the conflict's escalation, raising additional humanitarian concerns.
Despite international pressure for a ceasefire and humanitarian considerations, Netanyahu has reiterated the need for an empowered IDF response in the region, leading to intensified operations against claimed Hamas targets.
