On Tuesday, a Palestinian hunger striker died in Israeli custody, nearly three months after being detained for ties to the Islamic Jihad organization, prompting Arab condemnation of Israel and rocket fire from Gaza.
The death of Khader Adnan was promptly followed by the firing of three rockets, which the Israeli army claimed “fell in open areas” There were no reported casualties.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh termed Adnan’s death, which occurred in the occupied West Bank, a “deliberate murder.”
The premier said in a statement, “By denying his request for release, neglecting him medically, and keeping him in his cell despite the severity of his health condition, they have violated his human rights.”
The Israeli prison service announced the demise of an Islamic Jihad-affiliated detainee.
He was found unresponsive in his cell early this morning, according to a prison service statement.
Also the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reports that Adnan, 45, was the first Palestinian to die directly as a consequence of a hunger strike.
According to advocacy group director Qaddura Faris, force-feeding Palestinian inmates has killed others.
In response to Adnan’s murder, Palestinians observed a general strike in the cities of the West Bank.
According to the Arab League, Adnan’s death was the consequence of Israeli occupation authorities’ systematic policy of deliberate medical negligence.
Israel’s extreme right Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of national security, stated that prison officials decided to close cells to “prevent riots.”
He stated, “The directive to the prisoner service is zero tolerance for hunger strikes and disturbances in security prisons.”
“Pay the cost”
A top Israeli official called Adnan “a hunger striker who refused medical care, putting his life at risk.”
“In recent days, the military appeals court decided against releasing him from detention based solely on the merits of his medical condition,” said the official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly to the media.
The official characterized Adnan as an “operative” of Islamic Jihad who faces charges related to his group-related activities.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and detains Palestinians for military trials.
Islamic Jihad warned that Israel will “pay the price for this crime”
“The free hero, Khader Adnan, died as a martyr in a crime committed by the enemy in front of the world,” the organization said in a statement.
Adnan was incarcerated for the tenth time, according to Israel’s prison service, and his wife, Randa Mousa, previously told AFP that her husband had participated in multiple hunger strikes while in detention.
Family versus Gaza missiles
Mousa stated on Tuesday, “We will only receive well-wishers because this martyrdom is a wedding, a moment of pride, and a crown on our heads.”
However, she cautioned individuals against responding with violence.
She told Arraba media, “We do not want a single drop of blood to be shed.”
“We do not wish for anyone to react to the martyrdom. She said, “We don’t want someone to launch rockets and then [Israel] to strike Gaza.”
The Israeli army stated earlier today that Israeli vehicles were shot near Tulkarm in the northern West Bank.
Adnan wrote in his final message, “I am sending you these words as my flesh and fat have melted.”
“I pray that God accepts me as a faithful martyr,” he stated in a Monday Palestinian Prisoners’ Club letter.
Doctors for Human Rights Israel previously dispatched a doctor to evaluate Adnan’s condition. But their requests to transfer him to the hospital were denied by Israeli authorities.
Today, the group stated, “Only with the resources available in a hospital could he be adequately monitored. And his life could be saved in the event of deterioration.”
