Over 9,300 Palestinians Held in Israeli Prisons as of February 2026, Including Women and Children
RAMALLAH: More than 9,300 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons as of early February 2026, according to the latest data released by the Persatuan Tahanan Palestin (PPS).
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the figures were compiled based on information from prisoner rights groups and the Israel Prison Service.
PPS said the detainees include at least 56 women, two of whom are minors, as well as around 350 children currently held in major detention facilities, including Megiddo and Ofer prisons.
The report revealed that 3,358 detainees are being held under administrative detention, a system that allows individuals to be imprisoned without formal charges or trial.
This category represents the largest share compared with convicted prisoners, remand detainees, and those classified by Israel as “unlawful combatants”.
In addition, PPS stated that 1,249 detainees have been placed under the “unlawful combatant” classification, a status widely criticised by human rights groups for enabling prolonged detention without transparent legal procedures.
However, the figures do not include all detainees from Gaza held in Israeli military camps, nor Arab detainees from Lebanon and Syria who fall under similar classifications.
PPS expressed serious concern over the growing number of prisoners, particularly women and children, warning of potential violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The organisation urged the international community to intensify diplomatic pressure to ensure that Palestinian detainees are treated in accordance with global legal standards.
Observers note that mass detention remains one of the most contentious aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with long-term implications for social stability, family structures, and psychological wellbeing within Palestinian society.
-wilayah.com.my
