Palestinian citizen of Israel dies in Israeli custody | PiQ Markets
2 storiesGeopolitics & Global RiskMiddle East conflict (Israel-Gaza, Lebanon, Iran)
Palestinian citizen of Israel dies in Israeli custody
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IN SHORT
A Palestinian citizen of Israel, Imad Sarhan, 48, has died in Israeli custody at Gilboa Prison after more than 24 years of detention. His death follows that of Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old West Bank resident, who died in Megiddo Prison under unclear circumstances. Meanwhile, hundreds of activists protested outside the Israeli embassy in London, demanding the release of over 9,000 Palestinian prisoners and condemning the war in Gaza. The Red Ribbons Campaign highlighted concerns for detainees, including children and medical workers.
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Key Numbers
48age of Imad Sarhan
24 yearsdetention duration for Imad Sarhan
17age of Walid Ahmad
9,000Palestinian prisoners demanded for release
Who's Involved
Imad Sarhan
Palestinian citizen of Israel who died in Israeli custody
Israeli Prison Service
announced the death of Imad Sarhan
Walid Ahmad
17-year-old West Bank resident who died in Israeli custody
Activists
protested at the Israeli embassy in London
Israeli embassy in London
site of protest by activists
Red Ribbons Campaign
international campaign organizing protests
Key facts
Imad Sarhan, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, died in Israeli custody.
Sarhan died in Gilboa Prison.
He was 48 years old.
Sarhan had spent over 24 years in detention.
Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old West Bank resident, died in Megiddo Prison.
Ahmad's death occurred under unclear circumstances.
Hundreds of activists protested at the Israeli embassy in London.
The protest was part of the international Red Ribbons Campaign.
Activists demanded the release of over 9,000 Palestinians held in Israeli custody.
The protest also condemned the war in Gaza.
Concerns were raised about child and medical worker detainees.
Imad Sarhan, a 48-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel, has died while in Israeli custody at Gilboa Prison, the Israeli Prison Service announced. Sarhan had been detained for over 24 years. His death comes shortly after that of Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old resident of the West Bank, who died in Megiddo Prison under unclear circumstances. These events occurred as hundreds of activists gathered outside the Israeli embassy in London. The protest, part of the international Red Ribbons Campaign, demanded the release of over 9,000 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons. The demonstrators also protested the ongoing war in Gaza. Organizers specifically raised concerns about the welfare of detainees, including children and medical workers, held within the Israeli prison system.
Frequently asked questions
Imad Sarhan was a 48-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel who died in Israeli custody at Gilboa Prison after more than 24 years of detention.
Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old from the West Bank, died in Megiddo Prison after collapsing. His family attributes his death to starvation and poor conditions, though an Israeli judge closed the investigation citing an undeterminable cause.
Former detainees and rights groups report worsened conditions including beatings, overcrowding, insufficient medical care, and poor sanitation. The Israeli National Security Ministry acknowledges conditions are at the minimum required by law.
Palestinian officials state that 61 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the start of the war in Gaza, and approximately 300 since 1967. Israel is reportedly holding the bodies of 72 Palestinian prisoners who died in jails.
What Happens Next
01Palestinian prisoner rights groups continue to document deaths in Israeli custody.
02Further scrutiny is expected regarding Israel's handling of detainee welfare and investigations into deaths.
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