Palestinian Prisoner Dies in Israeli Custody; Family Demands Autopsy

The Palestinian Prisoner's Club confirmed the death of administrative detainee Mu'taz Al-Atrash in Israel's Ofer Prison on Tuesday, stating his father was notified by police. Amani Serahneh, the club's media coordinator, reported that no clear details regarding the circumstances or cause of death have been released.

Serahneh emphasized that Al-Atrash's legal file and his family indicate he had no known chronic illnesses or significant health issues prior to his administrative detention in October 2025. The family has been asked to sign documents related to autopsy and investigation procedures.

The Palestinian Prisoner's Club intends to request an autopsy for Al-Atrash and a full investigation into the conditions of his death. Serahneh cited previous cases of Palestinian detainees dying in Israeli prisons where causes were only clarified after autopsies, sometimes with the involvement of rights groups.

She criticized the Israeli judicial system's handling of such cases, referencing the death of detainee Walid Ahmed in Megiddo Prison last year, where the investigation was closed without clear results. The Israel Prison Service stated that detailed information on security prisoners is withheld for privacy and security reasons, asserting that all inmates receive necessary medical care according to professional assessment and law.

Serahneh rejected the Prison Service's statement, arguing that many detainees require specialized medical and psychological care, and that released prisoners often suffer severe physical and mental distress. She reiterated the demand for transparency and investigation into Al-Atrash's death, awaiting further information from the autopsy and inquiry.