RAMALLAH, Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (WAFA) — Raed Abu al-Homs, head of the Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, said today that 4,769 young Palestinian men and women aged between 18 and 40 are currently held in Israeli prisons.

In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark International Youth Day, Abu al-Homs said the figure includes 4,713 young male detainees and 56 young female detainees.

He added that 41 of the 91 Palestinian prisoners who have died in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023, were from this age group, while the bodies of 40 of them remain withheld by the Israeli authorities. Dozens of other bodies from different age groups are also being withheld.

Abu al-Homs said Palestinian youth have the right to mark International Youth Day like young people around the world and to dream of and plan for a bright future free from the risks and threats imposed by the Israeli occupation on them and on the Palestinian people as a whole.

He stressed that the rights to life, freedom, work and movement are guaranteed under international norms and conventions and must be upheld for Palestinian youth.

Abu al-Homs described Palestinian youth as the backbone of the Palestinian people's struggle and those striving to overcome occupation, injustice and oppression, saying they will continue to do so until their aspirations for freedom and independence are achieved and they can live normal lives in security and stability.

He called on the international community, particularly institutions concerned with youth affairs, to reject the targeting of Palestinian youth and to raise their voices in support of their right to live free from the obstacles and threats imposed by the occupation.

International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12 following its designation by the United Nations to highlight youth issues and their role in building their societies and national institutions.

K.T