Statement on the Escalation of Arrest Campaigns by the Israeli Occupation Forces since October 7th
Since October 7th, there has been a significant escalation in the arrest campaigns conducted by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians. As of the preparation of this statement, more than 9600 cases of arrests have been documented in the West Bank alone. These arrests have targeted all segments of Palestinian society, including over 325 women and girls (including those from the territories occupied in 1948). Additionally, at least 670 children have been detained.
The arrest operations have not been limited to civilians only but have also targeted journalists, activists, and members of parliament. Among journalists, there have been 88 reported cases of arrest, including 15 journalists from Gaza, with 52 of them still being held by the occupation. The number of detained parliamentarians has reached 13 as of the date of this statement.
Administrative detention has been a significant tool used by the occupation, with over 7500 administrative detention orders issued since October 7th. This brings the total number of administrative detainees to approximately 3380 individuals.
In Gaza, the number of arrests is estimated in the thousands, with the Israeli occupation admitting to detaining over 4000 individuals from Gaza, including workers and residents who were in the West Bank for employment, medical treatment, or residency purposes.
Overall, the current total number of prisoners in Israeli prisons exceeds 9700, including more than 1400 categorized as “illegal combatants” by the Israeli Prison Authority. These figures reflect the current situation as of early July/June 2024.
PIFA condemns these severe violations of human rights and calls on the international community to urgently intervene to halt these repressive campaigns and ensure the legitimate rights of Palestinians under international law.
Palestine International Friends Alliance