DayofPal—An Israeli court has had closed an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old Palestinian detainee, despite evidence suggesting he suffered severe starvation before his death.
Walid Ahmad, from the occupied West Bank, died in Israeli custody in March 2025 after spending six months in detention over allegations of stone-throwing.
Medical reports and testimonies indicated that Ahmad experienced drastic weight loss, infection, and physical deterioration while imprisoned.
However, Judge Ehud Kaplan ruled that there was no direct proof linking Ahmad’s condition to the immediate cause of death, leading to the case being dismissed. The decision only became public after a gag order was lifted.
Human rights advocates strongly condemned the ruling, stressing it reflects a narrow legal interpretation that ignores the broader conditions faced by detainees.
Lawyer Nadia Dakka said the case highlights the difficulty of assigning responsibility in situations involving systemic abuse.
Testimonies from fellow detainees revealed that Ahmad collapsed after days of visible decline. Despite calls for help, prison guards reportedly delayed intervention. He was later taken away, where he was pronounced dead.
Rights groups say Ahmad’s case is part of a wider pattern. According to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, at least 94 Palestinians died in Israeli custody between October 2023 and August 2025, many amid allegations of medical neglect, abuse, and poor living conditions.
Reports indicate that food deprivation has worsened significantly since late 2023, with some detainees receiving less than 1,200 calories per day, far below the 2,100 calories recommended to maintain basic health.
Lawyers and activists confirmed that such conditions are part of a deliberate policy aimed at deterrence.
The issue has drawn international concern. A recent report by the UN’s special rapporteur on Palestine warned that abusive practices in Israeli detention facilities have become widespread, describing the environment as one that undermines human dignity.
Critics say the court’s decision reinforces a culture of impunity and raises serious questions about accountability, as deaths in custody continue to mount without meaningful legal consequences.
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