Ramallah: A total of 4,769 young Palestinian men and women are being held in Israeli prisons, the head of the Palestinian Commission of Detainees' Affairs said Wednesday. Raed Abu al-Hummus made the remarks on International Youth Day, observed annually on Aug. 12 to highlight youth issues and their role in building societies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Abu al-Hummus reported that the number of young male detainees in Israeli prisons between the ages of 18 and 40 stands at 4,713, while the number of young female detainees is 56. He highlighted the tragic statistic that 41 of the 91 Palestinian prisoners killed in Israeli prisons since October 2023 were young people, with the bodies of 40 of them still held by Israeli authorities.

Israel has reportedly increased violations against Palestinian prisoners since the onset of its US-backed military campaign in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Abu al-Hummus stressed the importance of Palestinian youth being able to dream and plan for a future without the threats imposed by the occupation. He emphasized the rights to life, freedom, work, and movement as guaranteed by international norms and conventions.

Abu al-Hummus described Palestinian youth as the backbone of the struggle for liberation from occupation and oppression. He called on international institutions, particularly those focused on youth, to reject the targeting of Palestinian youth and advocate for their right to live without the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation.

More than 9,400 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli jails, including 92 women and over 370 children, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups. These prisoners reportedly face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of detainees. The historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict traces back to 1948, when Israel was established on land occupied by armed Zionist groups, leading to the displacement of at least 750,000 Palestinians.