Israel blocks Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners despite court ruling

Israel blocks Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners despite court ruling Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 07/13/2026 - 16:00 A high court ruling last month overruled a ban imposed following the 7 October attacks Palestinian family members and supporters hold placards during their protest in front of the Red Cross office in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron on 10 February 2026 (Hazem Bader / AFP) Off Israel has expanded a blanket ban on Red Cross access to Palestinian captives despite a High Court decision declaring it unlawful. Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi last week imposed new restrictions that significantly limit access for the humanitarian group. The new regulations prevent them from visiting certain categories of Palestinians under any circumstances.