Widespread Palestinian Movement to Confront the Policy of 'Silent Execution' Against Prisoners in Occupation Prisons

Cities in the West Bank are witnessing a widespread popular and institutional movement, led by national and Islamic forces and institutions concerned with prisoner affairs, with the aim of pressuring the International Committee of the Red Cross. These movements come amid increasing warnings that detainees are being subjected to what is described as 'silent execution' inside occupation cells, where the pace of violations is escalating unprecedentedly.

Popular events organized simultaneous protest vigils in front of Red Cross headquarters in several governorates, holding the international organization responsible for its legal and humanitarian duties. Participants raised slogans condemning the policy of enforced disappearance and systematic starvation, emphasizing that international silence gives the occupation a green light to continue its crimes against the prisoner movement.

In Tulkarm city, sources reported that a massive march set off with the participation of prisoners' families and representatives of factions, expressing anger at the escalation of assaults inside prisons. Participants pointed out that the pace of repression reached its peak since October 7, 2023, amid serious fears of the enactment of Israeli laws that officially permit the execution of prisoners.

Speakers in Tulkarm warned that passing a law to execute prisoners constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and portends an explosion of the situation on the ground inside and outside prisons. National forces considered this step a dangerous escalation that requires urgent international intervention to protect thousands of detainees from the imminent danger of death.

In Hebron governorate, protest vigils focused on the suffering of female prisoners, with statistics indicating that 16 female prisoners from the governorate are among 56 female prisoners held in occupation prisons. Sources explained that prisoners' families live in a state of constant anxiety due to the lack of information about their children for more than two years as a result of strict Israeli restrictions.

Detainees' families spoke about catastrophic health conditions observed in those released, including severe emaciation, infectious skin diseases, and clear signs of physical torture. Testimonies from released prisoners confirmed that prison administrations prevent prisoners from meeting lawyers and assault them severely during transfers, exacerbating their isolation and suffering.

In Ramallah city, dozens participated in a vigil described as a cry against the 'forgotten issue,' demanding an end to the stagnation surrounding the prisoners' file since the Red Cross visits stopped. Protesters called for an emergency meeting of the states party to the Geneva Conventions to take decisive measures to stop policies of deliberate medical neglect and starvation.

For his part, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, Abdullah Zghari, described Israeli prisons as having turned into 'disaster-stricken places' lacking the most basic human necessities. Zghari affirmed that prisoners are subjected to full-fledged crimes including sexual violence and prolonged solitary confinement, holding the international community responsible for its failure to perform its oversight role.

Zghari criticized the double standards in the Red Cross's dealings, noting that the organization was used in exchange operations and the retrieval of Israeli bodies while being prevented from visiting Palestinians. He demanded the immediate resumption of family visits and the opening of prison doors to independent human rights committees to ascertain the extent of violations committed behind bars.

In a related context, the global campaign 'We are all Gaza... We are all Palestine' launched the 'Million Signatures' initiative with the aim of internationalizing the prisoners' issue and mobilizing global public opinion. This campaign coincides with protest events in several Arab and European capitals, seeking to demand that the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions compel Israel to respect its obligations.

The organizers of the popular movement stressed that the battle of the prisoners is an integral part of the war of extermination to which the Palestinian people are subjected in all their places of presence. They affirmed that continued disregard for the suffering of thousands of detainees threatens the collapse of the entire international legal system, calling for the continuation of field activities until prisoners achieve their freedom and basic rights.

Prisons have turned into disaster-stricken places witnessing escalating crimes including torture, sexual violence, and starvation, and the international community bears responsibility for this silence.