WEST BANK: A Hamas leader, Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, has died in Israeli custody in the West Bank, according to both Palestinian authorities and Hamas.
He passed away after being transferred from a southern Israeli prison to a hospital.
The Palestinian Authority’s prisoners affairs body and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club watchdog reported his death, claiming that he was suffering from severe health issues at the time of his arrest in October. They allege that Abu Ara was subjected to torture and starvation during his detention.
Hamas condemned the death, labeling it an “assassination” caused by “deliberate medical neglect” and holding Israel responsible. The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This incident comes amid ongoing accusations from Palestinian authorities that Israel is conducting a “war of revenge” against Palestinian detainees. The Israeli military has denied these allegations, asserting that it operates within international law and rejects claims of systematic abuse.
