Palestinian Teen Dies in Israeli Custody After Six Months Without Charges
Occupied West Bank (Quds News Network)-
A 17-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank died in Israeli custody after collapsing under unclear circumstances, marking the first death of a Palestinian under 18 in Israeli detention. Walid Ahmad had been held for six months without formal charges following his arrest in September 2024. He was accused of ‘throwing stones at Israeli forces’, but no trial date had been set.
Before his arrest, Walid was a healthy high school student, his family said. Rights groups have documented widespread abuse in Israeli prisons, particularly in the wake of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
According to AP, Israeli prison authorities claim to investigate any allegations of misconduct but deny systematic abuse. They also acknowledged that conditions in the prisons are minimal and comply with Israeli law. The Israeli prison service did not respond to AP’s inquiries about Walid’s cause of death, only confirming his passing at Megiddo Prison, a facility known for its harsh treatment of detainees.
Walid’s family believes he contracted amoebic dysentery, a potentially fatal infection caused by poor prison conditions. Witnesses said he collapsed in a prison yard on March 23, struck his head, and died shortly after. Rights groups note this incident follows a pattern of deteriorating conditions in Israeli detention centres, which have worsened since the start of the war.
The Palestinian Authority reports that Walid is the 63rd Palestinian to die in Israeli custody since the onset of the genocide in October 2023. This includes many deaths from both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Walid’s father, Khalid Ahmad, described his son as vibrant and healthy before his arrest. During his court appearances, he noted Walid’s declining health, with reports of malnutrition and skin conditions. The family’s lawyer confirmed that Walid was suffering from dysentery and other health issues caused by inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions in the prison.
