Analysis: Those detained without trial seen as hostages by their fellow Palestinians
Reporting from Ramallah, occupied West Bank
Whether they were arrested for a social media post or killing Israelis, Palestinian prisoners are often seen by their community as having played their part in the resistance against the Israeli military occupation. Terrorists to Israelis, freedom fighters to Palestinians.
Those held in under a controversial practice known as “administrative detention,” which Israel uses to hold people without trial or other usual legal proceedings, based on alleged secret evidence it does not share with detainees, their families or legal representatives, are seen as hostages of the Israeli prison system.
The practice has been criticized by rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch who say it has been used to hold Palestinians without charge and due process.
But Israel has defended the practice as a necessary security measure.