This year has seen a significant rise in the number of Palestinian prisoners held in solitary confinement, with the total reaching 40 prisoners, including those involved in the Freedom Tunnel operation. This figure is the highest recorded since before 2012. Among the isolated detainees, some suffer from severe psychological issues due to years of systematic abuse and torture. The longest-serving solitary confinement prisoner is Mohammed Khalil from the village of Al-Mazra’a Al-Gharbiya near Ramallah, who has been held in isolation for more than 15 years.
The policy of solitary confinement is one of the most dangerous systematic practices implemented by the occupation authorities. It reflects an additional layer of imprisonment within the prison system itself. Prisoners held in solitary confinement are placed in cells lacking the basic conditions for human life. They are denied family visits, stripped of all personal belongings, and allowed limited time in the prison yard (fura), during which they are shackled and completely isolated from fellow detainees.
Historically, solitary confinement has been used as a punitive measure, particularly against leaders of the Palestinian prisoners’ movement, based on orders issued by Israeli intelligence. One of the most notable cases is Mahmoud Issa, who endured more than 13 years in solitary confinement, illustrating the use of this policy as a "punishment tool" against prisoners.
In addition to the detainees from the Freedom Tunnel operation, other prisoners currently held in solitary confinement include:
This policy remains a severe violation of human rights, inflicting both psychological and physical harm on the affected prisoners