Israel increasing use of solitary confinement for Palestinians, including for minors

Israel increasing use of solitary confinement for Palestinians, including for minors Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 05/14/2026 - 11:20 Data obtained from Israel Prison Service shows children and women among detainees increasingly being held in isolation Kziot prison in the Negev desert in Israel, on 25 January 2025 (AFP/Gil Cohen Magen) Off There has been a marked increase in Palestinian prisoners, particularly minors, being held in solitary confinement since Israel 's genocide in Gaza began, according to recently published data.  The data was published this week by Physicians for Human Rights, who obtained it through a freedom of information request to the Israel Prison Service.  It showed that the number of minors transferred to solitary confinement rose from one in 2022 to 50 in 2023, before spiking significantly to 290 in 2024.  Meanwhile, the number of adult detainees held in solitary confinement nearly tripled year-on-year in 2024, reaching 4,493.  Female detainees in solitary confinement rose too, from two in 2022 to 25 two years later.  The Israel Prison Service has two types of solitary confinement: punitive and deterrent isolation. The former lasts 14 days, while the latter can last for six months, and Israeli authorities are able to renew it.  According to rights groups, most cases involve Palestinians being held in short-term punitive isolation. Rights organisations have long been critical of solitary confinement, considering it to be an extreme form of punishment.  Research suggests that it can lead to mental health problems, memory loss, hallucinations and physical illnesses.  ‘Returned from hell’:...

Original source: Middle East Eye