European concern is growing over Israel’s decision to prevent Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners

The decision of Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to prevent the International Committee of the Red Cross from visiting Palestinian prisoners sparked a wave of concern and anger in European circles, amid warnings that the move represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and may plunge Tel Aviv into new diplomatic isolation.

European warnings of a “fatal mistake

In statements reported by the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, a number of European diplomats and ambassadors in Tel Aviv expressed “deep concern” about the decision, considering it a dangerous step that contradicts the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee the Red Cross the right to monitor the conditions of prisoners during armed conflicts.

A prominent European ambassador – who preferred to remain anonymous – said, “The International Committee of the Red Cross is the only body legally authorized to follow up on the affairs of detainees in times of war, and it is a neutral organization with long humanitarian experience in this field,” adding that “preventing it from performing its duties undermines one of the most important pillars of international humanitarian law.”

The ambassador pointed out that Israel has not allowed Red Cross visits for two years, especially for detainees from Gaza, asking:

“What has changed now in Katz’s decision? This ban appears to be a continuation of an existing policy, which is very disturbing.”

Fears of international isolation

According to the Commission, European diplomats and other foreign ambassadors expressed similar concerns, stressing that “Israel’s insistence on this position may put it in confrontation with the international community again.”

One of them said, “All warring parties around the world allow the Red Cross access to prisoners. Even the United States has allowed visits to Guantanamo detainees since 2002, so why does Israel refuse that now?”

He added that Tel Aviv’s disregard for Western pressure is deepening frustration in European capitals, and may push for new diplomatic moves if it does not back down from the decision, but he stressed that “the current focus is still on reactivating the peace path.”

Israeli justifications and absurd accusations

For its part, Israel justified its position by saying that Hamas was preventing visits to Israeli prisoners, but this justification – according to European diplomats – lost its validity after their release in the recent exchange deal.

The commission also indicated that Katz’s recent decision was based on a recommendation from the General Security Agency (Shin Bet), which claimed that allowing visits might enable prisoners to transfer information to the Hamas movement through Red Cross representatives.

But the European ambassador rejected these justifications, saying:

“It is absurd to think that Swiss Red Cross employees would participate in transmitting classified information. Israel must reconsider, as allowing visits enhances transparency and serves its image before any other party.”

Wider context of violations

This decision comes in light of an unprecedented deterioration in the Palestinian humanitarian situation after a devastating war that lasted two years, which began on October 8, 2023, and resulted – according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza – in the martyrdom of 68,643 Palestinians and the injury of more than 170,655 others, most of them children and women, while the United Nations estimated the cost of rebuilding the Strip at about 70 billion dollars.

Observers believe that preventing Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners represents an extension of a systematic policy to hide violations inside Israeli prisons, especially in light of reports of torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect.

European appeal to Israel

One of the European ambassadors concluded his statement by saying:

“It is in Israel’s own interest to open prisons to international oversight. Every self-respecting country does not fear the eyes of the Red Cross, but rather welcomes them to confirm its commitment to international law.”

Katz’s decision, according to observers, may open a new chapter of tension between Israel and the European Union, at a time when voices calling for imposing international control on Israeli prisons and guaranteeing the minimum rights of Palestinian prisoners living behind bars away from the eyes of the world are increasing.