Conditions of Palestinian Detainees after October the Seventh: Assessing Israel’s Violations of the Principles of International Humanitarian Law رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This thesis examines the conditions of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons after October the Seventh (2023), focusing on the extent to which Israeli occupation authority violated international humanitarian law and human rights standards. The study addresses the legal status of prisoners, specifically civilians, under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions, as well as relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture (CAT). Using a descriptive and analytical methodology, the research evaluates documented violations such as torture, starvation, medical negligence, solitary confinement and administrative detention. Also, it compares the treatment of Palestinian detainees with that of Iraqi prisoners, highlighting the main similarities and differences between the both cases. The findings indicate systematic violations by Israeli occupation, a persistent denial of legal recognition for Palestinian detainees, and a limited effectiveness of international mechanisms for accountability. The thesis concludes that protecting Palestinian detainees is a legal obligation, not a political choice, and emphasizes the need to activate international accountability measures, reinforce the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and ensure that international humanitarian law is applied consistently without selectivity.