The Palestinians have pledged to continue their efforts to release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
On the occasion of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called for the protection of prisoners.
There are 4,500 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, including a 82-year-old man, according to the Palestinian Society Prisoner's Club.
Of the thousands behind bars, 440 are detainees held without charge or trial, including 180 children and 41 women and girls.
Israel continues to detain 25 prisoners held before the announcement of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
There are eight prisoners with serious disabilities, said the NGO, adding that 226 prisoners have died in Israeli prisons since 1967.
There are 550 prisoners suffering from various illnesses, including 10 with cancer.
In the same context, the foreign ministry called on the international community and signatories of the Geneva Conventions to assume their responsibilities towards protecting the Palestinian prisoners.
The statement called for holding the Israeli occupation authorities accountable over “the racist colonial system” in place against Palestinians, who are being expelled and displaced from their lands and who are also victims of arbitrary detention.
The statement described Israeli courts as “colonial military courts” that do not meet “the minimum standards of the due legal process and a fair trial”, reiterating its call on the international community to work for the immediate release of prisoners.
Meanwhile, the Hamas movement asserted that it has cards to play that can guarantee the release of the Palestinian prisoners.
“The issue of Palestinian detainees is our top priority. We will spare no efforts for the sake of their freedom; we will not rest until we restore the freedom of the Palestinian detainees who have sacrificed their lives to liberate their homeland and people,” it added.
