Al-Haq's letter highlighted the obstruction of access to information and updates from Al-Naqab Prison by the Israeli occupying authorities and by Al-Naqab Prison Administration, referencing Addameer's statement on the situation of prisoners therein. According to Addameer, the Israeli occupying forces (IOF) raided Unit 4 in Al-Naqab Prison on 24 March 2019, resulting in the injury of several Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were transferred to hospitals. Confrontations erupted between the prisoners and Israeli forces, with the latter claiming that two prisoners have allegedly stabbed two members of its forces. The letter further stated that according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, 240 prisoners from Units 4 and 7 of Al-Naqab Prison were restrained in the prison's outdoor yard overnight.

Furthermore, Al-Haq stressed that the attacks against Palestinian prisoners in Al-Naqab Prison must be seen within the context of Israel's escalating and systemic crackdown against Palestinian prisoners over the past few months. Notably, the escalations against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons comes following the Israeli Public Security Minister's announcement in January 2019 of the authorities' intention to "worsen" the conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including by rationing their water supply and cutting associated funds.

While acknowledging the responsibility of Israel, as Occupying Power, for the life, safety and well-being of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons, Al-Haq requested that the ICRC act in accordance with its mandate, including that relevant to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centres. Accordingly, Al-Haq called on the ICRC to immediately intervene to stop the attacks, the use of force, and further escalations against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. Al-Haq also called on the ICRC to acquire relevant information from the Israeli authorities, such as the names of the injured prisoners and their health conditions, including those transferred to hospitals, and to immediately provide such information to the prisoners' family members and concerned human rights organisations. Al-Haq further called on the ICRC to ensure that injured prisoners are provided with the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including access to medical treatment and services, without any discrimination, as enshrined under international law.

Lastly, Al-Haq recalled that Palestinian prisoners continue to be illegally transferred to Israeli prisons outside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime of unlawful deportation or transfer.

To read the full letter, click here.