Israeli Supreme Court strikes down ban on Red Cross prison visits

AI Summary

Israel's Supreme Court ruled to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit Palestinian prisoners, overturning a ban imposed at the start of the Gaza war. This decision aims to improve independent monitoring of prisoner treatment amid reports of abuse and denial of medical care.

JERUSALEM, June 4 (Reuters) - Israel's Supreme Court has said Israel must allow visits to Palestinian prisoners by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ruling in favour of a petition against a ban that was brought in at the start of the Gaza war. The bar on Red Cross visits to Palestinian detainees has restricted independent verification of their treatment, following reports of systemic abuse, starvation, and denial of medical care towards Palestinian prisoners.