‘Israel’ prepares to restore Red Cross access to detainees
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- ‘Israel’s’ Supreme Court unanimously overturns the order blocking ICRC visits.
- Ben-Gvir’s bill to bypass the ruling fails to secure parliamentary support.
'Israeli' security agencies have begun preparations to allow representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to resume visits to security detainees in prison facilities across 'Israel', Channel 12 reported on Monday.
Unless last-minute changes occur, the visits are scheduled to restart on Wednesday, marking the first time ICRC delegates will gain access to security detainees in Prison Service and military facilities since October 7.
Supreme Court ruling invalidates ban
The decision to resume visits follows a legal challenge in the Supreme Court against the government's blanket prohibition policy.
In October 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an administrative order banning Red Cross representatives from entering detention facilities, citing security concerns.
The 'Israeli' Internal Security Agency (Shin Bet) had provided alleged information to the Defense Ministry claiming that Red Cross personnel were passing information to security detainees inside the prisons.
At the time, Defense Minister Katz justified the directive by stating that assessments presented to him indicated the visits would pose a serious harm to state security.
However, in early June, the Supreme Court unanimously accepted a petition against the blanket ban on Red Cross visits and information sharing regarding security detainees.
The court detailed in its ruling that the state had failed to provide any legal basis for the decisions, despite being given multiple opportunities to do so.
Bypass court ruling fail
Following the Supreme Court judgment, coalition figures sought ways to delay implementing the decision until after elections.
Approximately one month after the court ruling, a bill known as the "Red Cross Law"—introduced by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's party—failed to pass in the Knesset.
The legislation was defeated after ultra-Orthodox parties refused to support it due to an unrelated dispute over military draft exemption legislation.
With legislative remedies exhausted, Red Cross representatives have been instructed to arrive in the country ahead of the planned resumption of detainee visits on Wednesday.
