Israeli forces have detained more than 2,000 Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territories since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society. The organisation says at least 350 Palestinian children are currently held in Israeli prisons, where they face alleged ill-treatment, inadequate food and a lack of essential medical care.
The figures were reported by Al Jazeera on Thursday, 15 October, citing the Palestinian Prisoners Society, which monitors the conditions of Palestinian detainees. The report has renewed concerns over the treatment of minors held in custody amid the continuing conflict in the occupied territories.
According to the organisation, arrests of Palestinian children have continued across the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday, Israeli forces reportedly detained at least six children in Hebron, adding to the number of minors caught up in the ongoing wave of arrests.
The exact number of children detained from the Gaza Strip remains unknown. The organisation attributes the uncertainty partly to cases of enforced disappearance and missing people, which have made it difficult to establish how many children have been taken into custody. The lack of reliable information also complicates efforts by families and monitoring organisations to determine the whereabouts and legal status of detainees.
Reports of Ill-Treatment and Medical Neglect
The Palestinian Prisoners Society has raised serious concerns about conditions inside Israeli prisons, alleging that detained children have experienced ill-treatment, hunger and inadequate access to medical services.
One case highlighted in the report concerns 15-year-old Mohammad Hamid, who was held at Ofer prison. According to the organisation, he contracted scabies, a contagious skin condition, and subsequently underwent heart surgery before having one of his legs amputated. The report does not provide sufficient medical details to establish the precise circumstances behind his subsequent treatment and amputation.
The organisation also cited the death of 17-year-old Walid Ahmed, who died in March 2025 after spending six months in Megiddo prison. The report does not set out detailed findings on the cause of his death or the circumstances surrounding it.
These cases have drawn attention to the vulnerability of children held in detention, particularly when access to healthcare, adequate nutrition and appropriate living conditions is in question. Prolonged detention and alleged mistreatment can have serious physical and psychological consequences for minors.
The allegations underline the importance of independent monitoring and transparent investigations into prison conditions. Establishing the circumstances of individual cases would require reliable medical records, independent evidence and responses from the relevant authorities.
Teenagers Allegedly Held Without Charges
The report also refers to several teenagers with American backgrounds who are said to have been detained by Israeli authorities. They include Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of Florida, 18-year-old Abdalkarim Issa Ahmed Safi and 16-year-old Adam Waziz Karakara.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, some of these teenagers were taken from their homes at night or remained in custody after bail was revoked, without charges being brought against them, as described in the report.
However, the account does not provide a detailed breakdown of the legal circumstances surrounding each case, nor does it include responses from Israeli authorities. The claims therefore require further verification through court records, official statements and independent investigation.
The cases raise broader questions about due process and the legal safeguards available to minors in detention. Children deprived of their liberty require particular protection, including appropriate legal assistance, access to their families and treatment that takes account of their age and welfare.
Calls for International Action
The Palestinian Prisoners Society has urged the international community to press for the release of children it considers to have been detained unlawfully, an end to alleged mistreatment and independent investigations into reported violations inside Israeli prisons.
International humanitarian and human rights law provide specific protections for children. Any deprivation of liberty must comply with applicable legal safeguards, while detainees must be protected from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Access to necessary medical care and humane conditions of detention are also essential.
The wider scale of arrests adds to the concerns outlined in the report. According to the organisation, Israeli forces have detained more than 25,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, alongside thousands more in Gaza.
The figures reflect the extensive scale of detention during the period, although the precise number of children held from Gaza remains unclear. The uncertainty surrounding missing people and alleged enforced disappearances makes it particularly difficult to establish a complete picture.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society’s allegations have placed renewed emphasis on the need for accurate detention records, access to independent monitors and transparent information about the condition of those in custody. Independent investigations would help establish the facts surrounding reported abuses and determine whether any violations have occurred.
For the hundreds of Palestinian children reportedly still detained, their immediate welfare remains a central concern. Reliable information about their whereabouts, access to medical treatment, legal representation and protection from mistreatment will be crucial in assessing their circumstances and safeguarding their rights.
