Dozens of people gathered in central London on Saturday for a silent vigil calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention facilities, drawing attention to what organisers and rights groups describe as widespread use of administrative detention and deteriorating conditions inside Israeli prisons.

The gathering, organised by the Palestinian Forum in the United Kingdom, took place peacefully and was framed by organisers as an act of humanitarian solidarity rather than a protest. Participants stood quietly, holding placards and wearing red ribbons to symbolise urgency and danger, as they sought to raise international awareness of the issue.

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Focus on Administrative Detention

Much of the vigil focused on Israel’s use of administrative detention, a policy under which Palestinians can be held for renewable periods without formal charges or trial. Israeli authorities argue the practice is used for security reasons to prevent future offences, while critics say it violates fundamental legal rights and international law.

Activists at the London event said the policy has led to thousands of Palestinians being imprisoned indefinitely without knowing the accusations against them or when they might be released.

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Spotlight on Detained Gaza Doctor

A central symbol of the vigil was Dr Hussam Abu Safia, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, who was detained by Israeli forces in December 2024. According to his lawyer and family members, Dr Abu Safia has been subjected to physical abuse, prolonged solitary confinement and other forms of inhumane treatment while in custody.

“They took him from the hospital while he was still wearing his white coat,” said Adnan Hmidan, chair of the Palestinian Forum in the UK and organiser of the event. “He was detained in front of staff and patients, and since then, his family has struggled to get clear information about his condition.”

Hmidan said Dr Abu Safia’s case reflects the broader experience of many Palestinian detainees who are denied regular access to lawyers and court proceedings.

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Prisoner Numbers Highlighted by Rights Groups

Human rights organisations have released varying figures on the number of Palestinians held in Israeli custody, all of which indicate a sharp increase in detentions.

• Addameer, a Palestinian prisoners’ rights group, says there are approximately 9,300 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails, the majority of whom are held without trial or charge.
• The group estimates that at least 3,350 detainees from the occupied West Bank are classified as administrative detainees.
• Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem, citing Israel Prison Service data, reports that about 10,900 Palestinians were being held on “security” grounds in late 2025, including nearly 3,000 detainees from Gaza.

Rights advocates note that these figures do not always include Palestinians held in Israeli military camps, making the full scale of detention difficult to assess.

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Calls for Global Awareness and Pressure

Participants at the London vigil said the gathering was intended to mark the beginning of a wider international campaign to push governments and institutions to act.

“It’s about reminding people that this is still happening and that we haven’t forgotten,” said Eva Nazem, one of the attendees. “People in Palestine and Gaza know that solidarity actions like this matter.”

Nazem criticised governments for what she described as a lack of action, saying public pressure remains essential. “Those who have the power to intervene are staying silent, and that silence needs to be challenged,” she said.

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A Silent Act of Solidarity

Organisers were careful to emphasise the non-confrontational nature of the event. Rather than chants or speeches, the vigil relied on silence and symbolism to convey its message.

“This is not a march or a protest in the traditional sense,” Hmidan explained. “It’s a quiet, peaceful act of solidarity focused on humanitarian concerns.”

He added that behind every detainee is a family and a personal story. “They are human beings, not statistics. That’s what we want people to remember.”

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Continuing Campaign

Organisers said similar vigils and awareness events are planned in other cities as part of a broader effort to keep the issue of Palestinian prisoners in the international spotlight.

As the ceasefire discussions and regional tensions continue, activists at the London vigil stressed that the situation of detainees remains unresolved and requires sustained global attention.