Lawyers for Justice Group: Dozens of Detainees Commence Open-Ended Hunger Strike at Al-Junaid Detention Center, Nablus

Lawyers for Justice Group is monitoring with grave concern reports received from families of detainees and recently released individuals regarding dozens of detainees at the Al-Junaid Detention Center in Nablus entering an open-ended hunger strike since the beginning of this week. This protest comes in response to reported dire detention conditions, including punitive measures, communication restrictions, medical negligence, and allegations of torture, humiliation, and ill-treatment.

According to testimonies obtained by the Group, approximately (165) detainees are participating in the strike to protest their conditions of confinement and their prolonged detention without clear legal justification. This is particularly critical in cases where judicial release orders have been issued but remain unexecuted or ignored—some for extended periods. These practices bring back to the forefront the issues of “Administrative Detention” and detention at the pleasure of Governors or security chiefs.

The testimonies further indicate that the detention center administration and security services have taken measures against the strikers, including:

• A. Transferring some detainees between sections under conditions described as harsh.
• B. Restricting access to medical care and health monitoring, including for cases requiring urgent medical intervention.
• C. Imposing restrictions on communication with lawyers and families, hindering independent verification of the situation inside the center.

While Lawyers for Justice Group confirms that this data is based on reports from families and former detainees, it emphasizes the necessity of allowing competent authorities to conduct independent field verifications to assess the strikers’ demands and their health and legal status.

Accordingly, Lawyers for Justice Group demands the following:

1. Immediate execution of all release orders and judicial rulings issued for the detainees, respecting the principle of the Rule of Law and the prohibition of detention without legal grounds.
2. Guaranteeing the cessation of any measures that may be deemed punitive against the strikers for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
3. Granting urgent access for independent medical teams to visit the detention center, evaluate the health of the strikers, and provide necessary care in accordance with medical standards.
4. Enabling defense lawyers to visit detainees without unjustified restrictions and ensuring the families’ right to check on their wellbeing within legal frameworks.
5. Allowing human rights organizations to visit the facility, observe detention conditions and strikers’ demands firsthand, and issue professional recommendations.
6. Opening and pursuing serious investigations into complaints submitted to the Attorney General regarding the non-implementation of release orders, and holding the relevant authorities accountable for any unlawful arbitrary detention.

The Group stresses that ensuring the humane treatment of detainees, respecting legal procedures—specifically the execution of release orders—and enabling oversight of prison administration (especially in Al-Junaid Prison) are legal obligations of the competent authorities, particularly the Ministry of Interior. Any breach of these obligations escalates risks to detainees’ health and undermines confidence in the justice system.

The Group considers this statement an urgent and immediate appeal to address the demands, health conditions, and legal status of the hunger strikers. We call upon local and international civil society organizations, as well as the Ministry of Interior, to investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and poor detention conditions, and to fulfill the strikers’ demands and improve their circumstances.

Lawyers for Justice Group

 Issued on: February 18, 2026