The occupation continues to detain dozens of Gaza prisoners despite the end of their sentences

The Israeli occupation continues to detain dozens of prisoners from the Gaza Strip despite the end of their sentences, according to the Palestine Center for Prisoners Studies. More than 43 prisoners remain in detention, constituting 55% of the total 80 prisoners from the Strip. Some have spent nearly three additional years after their sentences ended under the pretext of a state of emergency.

The Israeli occupation continues to detain dozens of prisoners from the Gaza Strip who were arrested before the war of October 7, 2023, despite their sentences having ended years ago. According to the Palestine Center for Prisoners Studies, more than 43 prisoners remain in detention, constituting about 55% of the total 80 prisoners from the Strip. Some had their sentences end days after the outbreak of the war, but the occupation refused to release them under the pretext of a state of emergency, meaning they have spent nearly three additional years. Among the notable cases is prisoner Muhammad Yusuf al-Qudra, who completed his 11-year sentence in June 2025, and prisoner Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Qadi, whose 10-year sentence ended over a year and a half ago. The center accuses the occupation of deliberately maintaining their detention as part of a policy of revenge and collective punishment, pointing to harsh detention conditions including restraint with plastic ties, forcing police dogs to walk over their backs, a starvation policy that has reached the point of famine, and medical neglect that has led to the death of 53 prisoners. The center calls on international human rights institutions to intervene.