Dozens of Palestinian detainees have spoken of the torture and abuse they face in Israeli detention [Getty/archive]
A Hamas leader in the occupied West Bank died in Israeli custody, Palestinian authorities and the group said Friday.
Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, died after being moved from a prison in southern Israel to a hospital, according to a joint statement by the Palestinian Authority’s prisoners affairs body and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club watchdog.
“We mourn the passing of the leader and prisoner Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara and hold the occupation responsible for his assassination through deliberate medical neglect,” Hamas said in a statement.
Abu Ara was arrested in October while suffering severe health problems, the Palestinian body and the watchdog said.
During his detainment he was subjected to torture and starvation, they added.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Palestinian authorities accused Israel this month of waging an abusive “war of revenge” against Palestinian detainees since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza.
The Israeli military has denied systematic abuse of detainees.
