The report published by the Israeli state comptroller revealed that the increase in Palestinian detainees and prisoners following the war that began on October 7, 2023, has placed heavy pressure on the prison system. The report noted that the overcrowding in prisons and detention centers is not merely an administrative issue but also affects the operational efficiency of security agencies.
Comptroller Matanyahu Englman stated that Israel was unprepared to handle such a large wave of detainees at the start of the war. According to the report, the military and Prison Service did not make sufficient prior estimates of how many people could be held in detention during a large-scale war, nor did they complete the necessary capacity and infrastructure preparations.
The report indicated that the crisis worsened after the war due to the mass detention of Palestinians. As of February 2025, the number of people held for security reasons reached 10,147, with an additional 2,366 held at military bases.
According to the oversight findings, this congestion also impacted some planned detention operations by security authorities. The report noted that some planned detentions in the West Bank were reduced or canceled, and the limited detention capacity made it more difficult to conduct effective interrogations.
Another consequence of the overcrowding was the release of 19 individuals deemed dangerous by security authorities in July 2024. Among those released was Muhammad Abu Silmiye, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
The report also highlighted that the excessive burden affected prison staff. The rapid increase in detainee numbers increased the workload of guards, made prison control more difficult, and disrupted the balance between staff and detainees, raising risks.
The comptroller also criticized the delay in preparing indictments against Palestinians alleged to be connected to the October 7 attacks, noting that by February 2026, indictments had not been filed. This delay was linked to a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin not to advance judicial proceedings while Israeli captives were held in Gaza.
The report emphasized that expanding detention capacity should be treated as an urgent national project. It recommended developing a long-term plan between the military and Prison Service and quickly implementing alternatives to imprisonment in some cases.
