Overview

• Haaretz reports the proposal was set aside following objections from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Israel Prison Service.
• The National Security Council had prepared a decision for the Political-Security Cabinet to allow ICRC visits to prisoners from groups other than Hamas and Islamic Jihad, potentially including Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti.
• Prison Service and intelligence officials warned that allowing Red Cross entry could transmit messages, increase friction among inmates, and threaten state security.
• Opponents, including Ben-Gvir and several MKs, insisted access should be conditioned on ICRC visits to Israeli hostages in Gaza, with MK Tzvika Fogel threatening to physically block visits.
• The dispute follows Israel’s post–October 7 ban on such visits and continued High Court scrutiny driven by a petition from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.