Palestinian Authority Confirms Hamas Leader In West Bank Dies In Israeli Prisoner

Israeli military operations in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - A Hamas leader in the West Bank died in Israeli custody after his health condition worsened, the Palestinian government agency said on Friday morning.

Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, died after being transferred to hospital from Ramon's prison in southern Israel, the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission said in a statement.

"Before his arrest, he suffered serious health problems and required intensive medical follow-up. However, since his arrest, Sheikh Abu Ara, like all detainees, has faced unprecedented crimes since the start of the extermination war," the agency said.

Abu Ara, who was arrested in October last year, was subjected to torture and was not given medical treatment, the Palestinian body said. There was no immediate comment from Israel.

While citing WAFA, the late Abu Ara has been arrested several times since 1990, has been married and has seven children, one of whom is also imprisoned. He was re-arrested on October 30, 2023, despite serious and chronic health problems requiring strict medical supervision.

Palestinian authorities see Abu Arrah's death as a slow execution, which was carried out through the rejection of necessary medical treatment. They denounced this action as part of a broader pattern of systematic violence and genocide governed by Israeli authorities.

They consider Israel's Prison Service to be fully responsible for the deaths of Abu Arrah and the welfare of all detainees, totaling more than 9,700 people, excluding those from Gaza.

At least 18 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli custody since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, the Palestinian Prisoners Association said.