GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Hamas Movement has called for mass participation in protests and solidarity events in support of Palestinian prisoners, urging Palestinians and international supporters to escalate pressure to improve their conditions in Israeli prisons.
In a statement marking Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, observed annually on April 17, Hamas urged Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and 1948 occupied Palestine, as well as supporters worldwide, to take part in marches, sit-ins, and public actions to keep the prisoners’ issue at the forefront of global attention.
The Movement said this year’s commemoration comes under what it described as the most dangerous conditions yet for Palestinian detainees held by the Israeli occupation authorities, citing intensified abuse, harsh repression, medical neglect, and new legislation that could directly threaten prisoners’ lives.
Hamas stressed that the current stage requires active engagement at all levels, particularly through grassroots mobilization, calling for the day to become a focal point for national and media confrontation that amplifies prisoners’ voices and counters efforts to marginalize their cause.
The Movement also called on the international community, as well as UN and human rights organizations, to fulfill their responsibilities by pressuring Israel to end violations against prisoners and secure their release.
According to Palestinian sources, around 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, amid a surge in punitive measures and controversial policies, including the passage of a law by the Israeli parliament permitting the execution of prisoners.
Palestinian Prisoners’ Day is observed each year as a symbol of solidarity with detainees and highlights ongoing concerns over their treatment and legal status.
