UPDATE: Massive protests are sweeping through Europe as the campaign to “Free Palestinian Hostages” gains unprecedented momentum. Demonstrators are demanding the release of over 9,100 Palestinians currently incarcerated in Israeli prisons, including more than 450 women and children.
On November 29, 2025, thousands gathered in central London, waving Palestinian flags and wearing red ribbons to symbolize detention without charge. Protesters condemned Israel’s alleged use of torture, rape, and inhumane treatment of prisoners. The rally comes in the wake of alarming reports that at least 94 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli custody, with many suffering from severe medical neglect and torture.
The demonstrations are not limited to London; solidarity rallies erupted in Paris and Athens, where tens of thousands joined the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In Copenhagen, activists gathered outside the Israeli embassy under the slogan “Bring Them Home,” highlighting the plight of Palestinians held without trial.
A key figure in this movement is Marwan Barghouti, a prominent political prisoner serving five life sentences. His deteriorating prison conditions have sparked outrage among activists, who accuse Israeli authorities of subjecting him to solitary confinement and torture since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023.
Recent investigations by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) reveal that the actual number of deaths among Palestinian detainees may be significantly higher than reported. Victims have died from a combination of torture, deliberate medical neglect, and severe malnutrition. One tragic case involved Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old who died in Megiddo prison after experiencing six months of deprivation.
The urgency of these protests is amplified by a recent United Nations report condemning Israel’s alleged policy of torture against Palestinian prisoners. The UN committee expressed grave concern over reports of organized torture and inhumane treatment since the escalation of violence in October 2023.
As this situation unfolds, activists are calling for immediate action from the international community to address the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians in Israeli jails. The protests are expected to continue in the coming days, as public awareness grows about the plight of these detainees and the broader implications of Israel’s policies in the occupied territories.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
