WEST BANK, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Palestinian detainee Mutaz al-Atrash Abu Sneineh, from al-Khalil, died in an Israeli prison after nearly a year in administrative detention, family sources announced on Wednesday.
The sources said Abu Sneineh had been held without charge or trial for about a year. No further details have yet been released about the circumstances or immediate cause of his death in custody.
A year in administrative detention
Abu Sneineh’s death comes amid Israel’s continued use of administrative detention, which allows incarcerating Palestinians without formal charges or trial.
According to Shehab News Agency, hundreds of Palestinians remain in administrative detention amid reports of deteriorating health and humanitarian conditions in Israeli prisons, transfers between detention facilities, and denial of adequate medical care.
AMO calls for international investigation
The Asra Media Office (AMO) warned of the dangerous conditions facing Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons following Abu Sneineh’s death, saying his case once again highlights the threats to prisoners’ lives and safety.
In a statement, the AMO said his death came amid escalating repression and abuse against Palestinian prisoners, including torture, mistreatment, starvation and denial of medical care. It held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the conditions of his detention and his death.
The AMO called for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abu Sneineh’s death, including the conditions of his detention and the period immediately preceding his death. It also demanded information about detainees facing serious health and humanitarian conditions in Israeli prisons.
According to figures published by the AMO in August, 328 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since 1967, including 91 since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
Hamas holds Israel responsible
Hamas mourned Abu Sneineh and held Israel responsible for his death, saying it was part of a broader pattern of violations against Palestinian prisoners.
In a press statement, Hamas accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinian detainees to torture, abuse, deprivation and medical neglect, and held Israel responsible for the lives and fate of thousands of Palestinians held in its prisons.
The Movement called for broad national, official and popular action in support of Palestinian prisoners, including intensified public, media and human rights campaigns aimed at ending abuses against detainees.
Hamas also called on Palestinians to continue supporting prisoners and their families and to participate in solidarity activities, while reaffirming its commitment to securing their release.
Abu Sneineh’s death has renewed attention on the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and Israel’s continued use of administrative detention, while the precise circumstances and cause of his death remain unclear pending further information.
