Israeli Supreme Court Orders Better Food for Palestinian Detainees

Tue Oct 21 2025 22:16:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In an unprecedented move, Israel's Supreme Court mandates improved food provisions for Palestinian detainees, highlighting ongoing humanitarian concerns amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On Sunday, Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the government must ensure Palestinian detainees receive adequate food, marking a rare instance of legal accountability during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The court stated that the prisoners are entitled to three meals a day, which the current conditions in detention facilities have failed to provide, resulting in malnutrition. This decision follows widespread allegations of poor treatment and starvation among Palestinians in custody, raising further international scrutiny of Israel's treatment of detainees during the war. Israeli officials, including the National Security Minister, have expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing ongoing security concerns.

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s Supreme Court made a groundbreaking ruling on Sunday, ensuring that Palestinian detainees receive adequate food provisions, a significant step amidst the conflict with Hamas. The court unanimously declared that the government must provide three meals a day to prisoners, aiming to guarantee basic living conditions.

This decision comes after extensive reports indicating severe malnutrition and poor treatment among Palestinian detainees. Various human rights organizations have raised concerns about overcrowded prisons and a lack of basic necessities, leading to a humanitarian crisis in Israeli detentions.

Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, Israel has detained numerous Palestinians amid its military operations against Hamas. Investigations revealed that many detainees suffered from inadequate food and medical care, sparking outrage and concern from global human rights advocates.

Israel's Supreme Court has rarely interceded in government policies during this ongoing conflict, making this ruling particularly noteworthy. Citing legal obligations, the court emphasized that the treatment of prisoners must align with basic human rights standards and condemned any form of systemic deprivation.

The ruling has faced strong opposition from Israeli officials who argue it undermines national security. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed frustration, claiming that the court’s decision favors Hamas over the security of Israeli citizens.

ACRI, an advocacy group involved in the case, urged immediate action to comply with the court's verdict, calling attention to the dire situation of Palestinian prisoners. As tensions continue to rise, this legal ruling adds another layer to the complex humanitarian issues stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict.