Palestinian group says Israel detained over 2,000 children since 2023

The Palestinian Prisoners Society stated on Wednesday that Israeli forces have detained more than 2,000 Palestinian children since October 2023. The rights group reported that at least 350 of these minors currently face harsh conditions within Israeli prisons. This announcement highlights a continued escalation in the targeting of Palestinian youth by Israeli authorities across the occupied territories.

The organization documented recent arrests, noting that Israeli forces detained at least six children from Hebron on Tuesday. These raids occurred in the towns of Sa’ir and Ash-Shuyukh. The group emphasized that the true scale of detentions may be higher, particularly regarding Gaza. Information remains unclear due to thousands of missing persons and policies of enforced disappearance in the besieged strip.

Reports describe severe abuses including torture, starvation, and denial of healthcare. The society highlighted the case of fifteen-year-old Mohammed Hamid, who contracted scabies in Ofer Prison. His condition deteriorated into severe infections, requiring heart surgery and leading to the amputation of one leg. Another teenager, Walid Ahmed, died in Megiddo Prison in March 2025 after suffering from starvation and malnutrition.

Israeli judges halted the investigation into Ahmed’s death despite evidence of starvation. The group also noted cases of American teenagers held without charge. It called for international action to end administrative detention and ensure accountability. The society demanded concrete measures to stop coercive interrogations and secure the release of arbitrarily detained children from Israeli facilities.