Israel blocks Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners despite court ruling
Israel has expanded a blanket ban on Red Cross access to Palestinian captives despite a High Court decision declaring it unlawful.
Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi last week imposed new restrictions that significantly limit access for the humanitarian group.
The new regulations prevent them from visiting certain categories of Palestinians under any circumstances.
This includes those the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) classifies as "highly violent", as well as captives held in solitary confinement or under interrogation.
Visits otherwise are limited to 30 minutes, with prison commanders able to cut meetings short at their leisure.
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The moves defies a High Court of Justice ruling last month that ordered the state to resume Red Cross visits after a previous ban was imposed in the wake of the 7 October attacks in southern Israel in 2023.
The new rules from the IPS limits the group to one visit per quarter and requires the agency to submit in advance a list of no more than five captives it wishes to visit.
"The agency operates in accordance with the law. If any allegation is raised, it should be addressed through the appropriate channels," the prison service said in a statement.
Last month, a bill banning Red Cross visits to Palestinians held by Israel was defeated 41-36 in the Israeli parliament, after ultra-Orthodox coalition parties boycotted the vote over unrelated political disputes.
Haredi lawmakers withheld support in protest over the government's failure to pass bills that are key to their own agenda.
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