Red Cross to Resume Prison Visits for Terrorists After Security Ban

Israeli security services are preparing for the resumption of visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to prisons holding Palestinian terrorists. According to Channel 12, the first visit since October 7, 2023, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, unless the decision is reversed.

In October 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz had prohibited ICRC representatives from visiting Palestinian prisoners, citing security concerns. This ban followed intelligence from the Shin Bet indicating that ICRC staff were passing information to inmates from external sources.

However, in early June, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the de facto ban. The court ruled that the state had failed to provide legal justification for the policy, despite multiple opportunities to do so.

Following the court's decision, the government attempted to delay the ICRC's return to prisons until after elections. A legislative bill to codify the ban failed in the Knesset approximately a month later, reportedly due to religious parties refusing to vote on coalition bills.

Channel 12 reports that ICRC representatives have already been instructed to travel to Israel to recommence their visits.