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 government is legally obliged to provide prisoners with enough nutrition to ensure a basic level of existence.
Thousands of Palestinians have been held in Israeli jails for years on various charges, and many more have been detained since the onset of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
While conversations around a ceasefire continue to face roadblocks, US President Donald Trump recently issued a last warning to Hamas, urging them to agree to terms for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza.
In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Israel had accepted his conditions and emphasized the importance of Hamas accepting them, labeling it as a critical moment.
Hamas has expressed its readiness to engage in negotiations, responding positively to some proposals from the American side aimed at facilitating a ceasefire.
Trump also conveyed to media sources that a deal concerning Gaza would materialize soon, asserting that he believes all hostages will be returned, either alive or deceased. Of the 48 hostages still in captivity, around 20 are reported to be alive.
Despite Israel's refusal to formally address any potential agreement for hostage release, they have consistently demanded the return of all captives.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that a complete victory over Hamas is essential to ensure the hostages' safe return.
Amid growing domestic pressure, thousands of demonstrators rallied in Israel over the weekend, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza and urging Netanyahu to negotiate for the remaining hostages' release.
Despite calls for a cessation of military operations in Gaza, Netanyahu has affirmed that the IDF will ramp up its activities in the area.
Recent health reports from Gaza indicate that at least 87 individuals have lost their lives in the past 24 hours, further escalating concerns over humanitarian conditions.
Israel has also denied access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for Palestinian detainees since the Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties.
A retaliatory military campaign launched by Israel has led to the deaths of an estimated 64,368 Palestinians, a figure that the UN considers reliable, despite Israeli dispute.
Human rights organizations have long highlighted the dire conditions within Israeli prisons, prompting petitions alleging that recent food policies have resulted in malnutrition among inmates.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), a key petitioner, has called for immediate implementation of the court's verdict to ensure the well-being of imprisoned individuals.
Reports from released Palestinian detainees have detailed accusations of mistreatment and torture during their incarceration.
In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, Israel's Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the decision on social media, claiming that Israeli hostages do not have the same judicial protections as prisoners and asserting that he would uphold only the minimum legal standards concerning imprisoned terrorists.
As the conflict continues, Israel launched further airstrikes in Gaza City, targeting high-rise buildings alleged to be used by Hamas, despite official denials from Palestinian authorities.
