The Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Defense stated that the Israeli occupation is holding 6,000 Palestinians under the “Unlawful Combatants Law,” which allows for indefinite detention without charge or trial.

The center explained that among those detained for long periods without charge or trial are medical workers, teachers, civil servants, journalists, writers, patients, people with disabilities, children, and women. It pointed out that classified Israeli military data revealed that only one out of every four detainees from Gaza is classified as a combatant, while the vast majority of those held without charge or trial are civilians.

The “Unlawful Combatants Law” prevents detainees from meeting with their lawyers for up to 180 days, and from being brought before a judge before 75 days have passed. It serves as a legal cover for enforced disappearances and as a tool to facilitate the mass detention of civilians.