Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh, serving a life sentence since 2002 for attempted murder, membership in Hamas and weapons possession, was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus two months ago.The Israeli Prison Service turned to the pardons committee to carry out the inmate’s release a week ago when his condition worsened drastically, but he died at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba before the procedure was complete.His death set off a series of riots in the Ketziot, Eshel and Ramon prisons, with inmates banging on cell doors and throwing objects. Police had to be called to calm the unrest, with security stepped up in case of further incidents.Palestinians also demonstrated over the death in the Hebron area, throwing Molotov cocktails at police. Qadura Fares, head of an advocacy group for Palestinian prisoners, indicated to AFP that Israel is to blame for the prisoner’s death because of its "refusal to release him for treatment," despite repeated requests, some of which came from abroad.Even the Palestinian Authority’s President Mahmoud Abbas and premier Salam tried to gain Hamdiyeh's release as his health deteriorated, AFP pointed out.Relatives of the late Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh spoke with RT about his condition when he was still alive, at the beginning of March, emphasizing the severity of his physical condition.“We were sitting next to him, barely hearing his voice. He can’t eat, he has no appetite. We fed him, forced him to eat to stay alive somehow. Seven months ago, his condition began to worsen, and he addressed the prison administration to allow him a medical examination,” his wife indicated.“If the measures had been taken back then, when he first complained, the situation would be different. Occupational authorities are bearing full responsibility for any unfavorable outcome,” Hamdiyeh’s brother added.In February, the 30-year-old prisoner Arafat Jaradat apparently died of cardiac arrest at the Meggido detention center in northern Israel following interrogation, causing suspicions he had been tortured. His death triggered mass violent protests on the West Bank, and thousands of prisoners went on hunger strike. … Read More
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