Israel's Supreme Court Calls for Better Nutrition for Palestinian Prisoners

Tue Oct 21 2025 09:40:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a landmark ruling, Israel's top court has ordered improvements in the nutrition provided to Palestinian prisoners, highlighting long-standing concerns about their treatment in Israeli jails.

Israel's Supreme Court has determined that the state must ensure adequate nutrition for Palestinian prisoners, citing a legal obligation to maintain a basic standard of existence. Thousands of Palestinians, including those detained during ongoing conflicts, are currently imprisoned. The ruling comes amid critiques of Israeli policies by human rights groups and as talks for a ceasefire stall. Increased pressure is being placed on Israeli leadership for a resolution involving hostages held by Hamas.

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 on Sunday that the state was 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 many on charges of terrorism. Additionally, recent conflicts have led to further detentions since October 2023.

While discussions for a ceasefire have stalled, US President Donald Trump recently issued a 'last warning' to Hamas, urging them to agree to a plan for releasing Israeli hostages.

Trump's post on social media noted that Israel had accepted his conditions, and emphasized it was time for Hamas to do the same.

Following the announcement, Hamas expressed readiness to engage in negotiations towards a ceasefire agreement.

Amid rising tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing public pressure regarding the ongoing conflict, with protests calling for an end to the war.

Reports indicate that over the course of military operations in Gaza, at least 87 deaths occurred just within the past 24 hours.

Additionally, Israel has not allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Palestinian detainees since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, resulting in calls for reform from human rights groups.

The ruling on prisoner nutrition was celebrated by human rights advocates, who have long criticized the treatment of detainees in Israeli facilities, alleging instances of malnutrition and mistreatment.

Despite the court's ruling, Israeli officials, including Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have defended the current conditions, citing national security and the status of Israeli hostages in Gaza.