Israeli prison allegedly culpable as autopsy reveals prolonged malnutrition likely caused death of Palestinian teenager
In the gripping throes of the ongoing confrontation between Hamas and Israel, a grim reality has emerged: the tragic loss of lives in Israeli custody, particularly among youth from the West Bank. Although specific reference to the deaths of minors within this context is scarce, the volatile situation has left its mark on countless children and young adults.
The latest skirmish between Israel and Hamas, ignited in October 2023, has been a catalyst for numerous Israeli military incursions into West Bank territories, including Jenin and Tulkarm. These incursions have contributed to a steep toll among Palestinians, with over 806 fatalities recorded as of March 2025 – among them, at least 143 young lives cruelly snatched by Israeli soldiers.
Amidst the chaos and disruption, reports of arrests have been rampant. Since the outbreak of hostilities, over 15,700 Palestinians have been rounded up, including countless children and youths. Despite the ongoing turmoil, accounts of minors being held without charge or trial persist, with some estimates suggesting over 10,000 such detentions since October 2023.
Regrettably, the case of Walid Khalid Ahmad exemplifies the harsh reality faced by many Palestinian youths. The 17-year-old was detained in his Silwad home on September 30, 2023, following allegations of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. In the five months that followed his arrest, no charges were brought against Walid, and court hearings were repeatedly delayed.
On March 22, 2024, Walid tragically passed away in Israel's Megiddo Prison. The autopsy report subsequently revealed signs of severe and protracted malnutrition, pointing towards an inadequate food supply as the likely cause of his death.
Israeli authorities have yet to comment on the circumstances surrounding Walid's arrest or his detention, nor have they responded to allegations of mistreatment. The Israeli Prison Service maintains that they responded to the incident as required but has launched an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, Walid's grieving father Khalid expresses his heartbreak, stating, "Walid was a young man brimming with values, and his loss was entirely unexpected." Surrounded by anguish, the family awaits answers while they bear the agony of not having Walid's remains returned to them.
The Commission on Detainees' Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society have denounced Walid's death as a chilling emblem of the detrimental conditions endured by Palestinian detainees within Israeli custody – children and adults alike. Israel's ongoing military actions in the West Bank have far-reaching effects on the most vulnerable segment of the population, leaving a trail of grief, trauma, and uncertainty.
[1] source: www.nytimes.com/2023/11/27/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-strikes.html
[5] source: www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2023/10/26/secretary-generals-statement-on-the-escalating-violence-in-israel-and-palestine
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- The tragic death of Walid Khalid Ahmad, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy who was detained by Israeli soldiers, has raised serious concerns about the conditions faced by detainees in Israeli custody, particularly minors like him.
- According to the Commission on Detainees' Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society, Israel's ongoing military actions in the Middle East, such as those in the West Bank, are likely to be contributing to severe cases of malnutrition among detainees, as indicated by Walid's autopsy report.
- Amidst the growing number of Palestinians, mostly young adults and children, being detained without charge or trial by Israeli authorities, the case of Walid Ahmad serves as a stark reminder of the potential mistreatment and harmful conditions Palestinian youths may face in Israeli detention centers.
