Ten Palestinians Lost Their Lives in Custody Since October 7 The ICHR Holds the Occupation Authorities Responsible for the Lives of Prisoners in Its Jails
24/2/2024
8/2024
Ten Palestinians Lost Their Lives in Custody Since October 7
The ICHR Holds the Occupation Authorities Responsible for the Lives of Prisoners in Its Jails
In the midst of the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, we must report the tragic death of Izz al-Din Ziad al-Banna, a 40-year-old prisoner. This incident raises the count of prisoners whose deaths have been acknowledged by the Israeli occupying forces to ten, since October 7th. Reports of additional fatalities among Gaza prisoners have emerged, but Israeli censorship and the restriction on access to prisoners have obscured the true extent of Palestinian prisoner deaths in Israeli jails. This lack of transparency underscores the dire situation for these prisoners and their families, who are stripped of their most basic rights, including access to medical care and the ability to communicate with the outside world. Evidence and testimonies reveal a pattern of systematic and brutal torture, alongside starvation and severe mistreatment.
The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the safety and lives of all Palestinian prisoners. It calls upon the Red Cross, tasked with oversight and intervention, to step up, fulfill its duty, and publicly condemn the atrocities committed against prisoners. The Red Cross's notable failures since October 7th raise critical questions about the capacity and integrity of international organizations to effectively address these crises.
The ICHR urges all concerned institutions and human rights organizations to focus attention on the suffering of Palestinian prisoners and advocate for their protection and immediate release. Al-Banna, who suffered from mobility impairment and chronic illnesses, was arrested from his home in Gaza more than two months ago. As described by fellow prisoners in Ramla prison, his subsequent torture exacerbated his health issues, leading to his death last Tuesday—a fact that remained unannounced by the Israeli Prison Authorities.