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Illustrative scene. File. Published by Maan News
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BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli authorities last week handed down administrative detention orders -- Israel’s widely condemned policy of internment without charge or trial -- to 18 Palestinian prisoners, according to official Palestinian Authority (Wafa) news agency.

Wafa reported that the orders were handed down between September 26 and 29, and were issued to 17 males and one female. The woman, identified as Sabah Faroun, had her administrative detention order renewed for three months for the fifth time in a row. The mother of four was first detained on June 19, 2016.

Eight detainees received administrative detention orders for the first time, or were re-arrested and placed in administrative detention after being released from prison, Wafa added.

Israel uses administrative detention almost exclusively against Palestinians. The widely condemned Israeli policy allows for a detainee to be sentenced for up to six-month renewable intervals based on undisclosed evidence.

Although Israeli authorities claim the withholding of evidence during administrative detention is essential for state security concerns, rights groups have instead claimed the policy allows Israeli authorities to hold Palestinians for an indefinite period of time without showing any evidence that could justify their detentions.

Rights groups have claimed that Israel's administrative detention policy has been used as an attempt to disrupt Palestinian political and social processes, notably targeting Palestinian politicians, activists, and journalists.

According to prisoners rights group Addameer, there were 6,279 Palestinians in Israeli prisons as of August, with 465 being held in administrative detention.