RAMALLAH, June 30, 2026 (WAFA) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday that it is ready to resume visits to Palestinian detainees and prisoners held in Israeli detention and prison facilities.

ICRC spokesperson in the West Bank, Muhammad Abdullah, told WAFA,"We confirm our readiness to begin visiting detainees and prisoners in various Israeli detention and prison facilities."

He added, "We do not have a specific date for beginning the visits. We are following up on this issue and awaiting a decision to allow us entry."

On Monday, the Israeli Knesset failed to pass a bill aimed at preventing ICRC representatives from visiting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons or obtaining information about them.

The proposed legislation was rejected after receiving the support of 36 lawmakers, while 41 voted against it. The vote was affected by a boycott from ultra-Orthodox parties amid disputes within the governing coalition over previously agreed legislation.

Abdullah said the outcome serves as an important reminder of the ICRC's role in monitoring detention conditions and the treatment of detainees in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. He added that the organization remains engaged in dialogue with the Israeli authorities in an effort to resume its work in detention facilities as soon as possible.

He pointed out that, under the Fourth Geneva Convention, the ICRC has the right to access detainees and meet with them individually, without the presence of any Israeli officer or other representative.

He emphasized that, in accordance with international humanitarian law, the ICRC operates in more than 130 armed conflicts worldwide, without any incidents affecting any party to any armed conflict. We are a neutral body, and our mandate requires us, as well as all parties to conflicts, to visit places of detention and work to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in armed conflicts.

Y.S