Wa’ed Association: The occupation is attempting to use the ICRC to cover up the reality of the prisoners’ suffering

In a statement released on Saturday, 9 May 2026, the Wa’ed Association stated that the Israeli occupation’s announcement that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) would be allowed to enter the prisons where Palestinian prisoners are held captive, without permitting direct meetings with the prisoners themselves, does not represent a genuine response to humanitarian and human rights demands. Rather, it is an attempt to circumvent the scale of the crimes and violations being committed inside the prisons.

Wa’ed affirmed that the essence of the ICRC’s role lies in reaching the prisoner as the holder of his or her testimony, story and rights, not merely relying on the narratives selectively presented and directed by the prison administration. The association stressed that silencing the voices of the prisoners means concealing the fundamental truth about the repression, torture, starvation, medical neglect, and physical and psychological abuse they are subjected to.

The association added that the occupation is seeking through this step to absorb growing international pressure and present a fabricated image of prison conditions, at a time when testimonies and evidence concerning the crimes committed against imprisoned Palestinian men and women, through unprecedented retaliatory policies, continue to escalate.

Waed stressed that any entry by the Red Cross into the prisons that does not guarantee private and confidential meetings with prisoners, and listening to their testimonies away from the supervision of the jailer, will remain incapable of fulfilling its humanitarian and monitoring role, and may instead become a tool in the hands of the occupation to reduce its exposure before the eyes of the world and shield it from condemnation.

The Wa’ed Association called on the International Committee of the Red Cross to reject this deceptive step and not allow the occupation to turn it into a tool in the hands of Netanyahu and his government to reduce their isolation and polish their image before the world. The association emphasized that any visit that does not guarantee direct meetings with prisoners and the ability to hear their testimonies freely will become a free service to the occupation at the expense of the prisoners’ blood, suffering, and the crimes committed against them.

Wa’ed questioned how any partial or incomplete visit could be presented as a humanitarian development while the traces of the prisoners’ blood, torture, and humiliation still bear witness to what has taken place inside the prisons. The association stressed that such measures cannot erase the crime or grant its perpetrators an opportunity to escape accountability.

Wa’ed affirmed that what is required from the Red Cross today is to restore its real and effective role, not only in the prisoners’ file, but in restoring meaning to humanity itself, through a clear position rejecting the manipulation of its role, insisting on the right of direct access to prisoners, documenting their suffering, protecting their dignity, and conveying their voices to the world.

The association called on human rights and international institutions not to treat the occupation’s announcement as a genuine transformation in the prisoners’ file, emphasizing that the real test lies in enabling international institutions to hear the voice of the prisoner himself, expose the reality of what is taking place inside the detention centers, and hold the occupation accountable for its systematic violations.

Wa’ed concluded by affirming that Palestinian prisoners do not need propaganda scenes serving the jailer’s narrative, but rather real international oversight, clear guarantees, and serious action to stop the crimes committed against them and restore their rights to protection, dignity, and justice.

Wa’ed Association:

• The occupation’s announcement allowing the Red Cross to enter prisons without meeting the prisoners is an attempt to circumvent and cover up the crimes and violations committed against them.
• Excluding the voices of prisoners from any Red Cross visit means concealing the fundamental truth about the torture, starvation, and medical neglect they are subjected to.
• The occupation is attempting to absorb international pressure by presenting a fabricated image of prison conditions amid growing testimonies regarding its retaliatory policies.
• Any entry by the Red Cross into the prisons without private and confidential meetings with prisoners will remain incapable of fulfilling its humanitarian and monitoring role.
• We call on the Red Cross to reject this deceptive step and not allow the occupation to turn it into a tool in the hands of Netanyahu and his government to polish its image.
• Any visit that does not guarantee direct and free listening to prisoners’ testimonies will become a free service to the occupation at the expense of the prisoners’ blood and suffering.
• Prisoners do not need propaganda scenes serving the jailer’s narrative, but rather real international oversight and serious action to stop the crimes committed against them.