Hamas leader in West Bank dies in Israeli custody, says Palestinian government body

JERUSALEM - A Hamas leader in the West Bank died in Israeli custody after a deterioration in his health condition, a Palestinian governmental body said early on July 26.

Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, died after being transferred to a hospital from Ramon jail in southern Israel, the Palestinian Commission of Detainees Affairs said.

“Before his arrest, he was suffering from serious health problems and needed intensive medical follow-up. However, from the moment of his arrest, Sheikh Abu Ara, like all prisoners, has faced unprecedented crimes... since the beginning of the war of extermination”.

Abu Ara, who was arrested in October 2023, was subjected to torture and deprived of medical treatment, the Palestinian body noted.

At least 18 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the

start of the Gaza war on Oct 7,

the Palestinian Prisoners Association said in June.

Hamas-led attackers killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 captives, according to Israeli tallies. Some 120 hostages are still being held, though Israel believes a third of them are dead.

Gaza health authorities said more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and most of Gaza's 2.3 million people displaced by fighting that has destroyed much of the enclave and created a humanitarian disaster. REUTERS