Israel accused of depriving prisoners of treatment after former detainee dies of cancer

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) have accused Israel of the “systematic deprivation of medical treatment” for Palestinians held in the occupation state’s jails, the Palestinian Information Centre has reported.

The organisations made the allegation after former detainee Ismail Taqatiqa, 40, died of cancer today in Jordan, five months after his release. He was diagnosed with leukaemia a week after leaving prison.

“Medical crimes and deprivation of treatment have been the most prominent tool used to carry out systematic executions against dozens of prisoners since the war started,” said the Commission and PPS. Thousands of Palestinian prisoners have been facing systematic abuse and torture in Israeli jails since the Israeli genocide the Gaza Strip started on 7 October, 2023.

“The majority of the prisoners who have been released during the war suffer from chronic or serious health problems, while many were transferred to hospitals shortly after their release. Not only does the occupation state deny Palestinian citizens medical treatment in hospitals in Israel, but it also obstructs their travel to Jordan for treatment on the pretext of ‘national security’, as happened with Ismail Taqatiqa.”

The Commission and PPS appealed to international human rights organisations to shoulder their responsibilities in this regard and act against Israel’s violations of the rights of Palestinian prisoners.

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