ICHR Holds the Occupation Authorities Responsible for the death of Prisoner Abdul Rahman al-Bahsh

Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) holds the occupying power "Israel" fully responsible for the death of Abdul Rahman Bassem al-Bahsh, a 23-year-old prisoner from Nablus, who passed away in Megiddo Prison on Monday, January 1, 2024. Al-Bahsh is the seventh prisoner to die in the custody of the occupying forces since October 7, 2023, and the fourth specifically in Megiddo Prison. The total number of Palestinian prisoners detained from the Gaza Strip under severe conditions is still unknown. Reports have surfaced indicating the death of some detainees under these harsh circumstances.

While ICHR holds the occupation authorities accountable for the deaths of prisoners in their facilities, it cautions against the consequences of Israel’s ongoing oppressive policies towards Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Since October 7, these policies implemented by the Israeli Prison Service have involved severe and systematic punitive actions that pose direct threats to the prisoners' lives and deny them essential life necessities. This includes restricting access to water, food, and electricity, as well as withholding personal hygiene products. Moreover, the prisoners are consistently subjected to harsh and inhumane treatment under these measures.

Therefore, the Independent Commission for Human Rights demands the necessity of forming an independent international investigation committee into their detention conditions and deaths. It also calls on the relevant international institutions to pressure Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to resume its visits to Palestinian detainees in the occupation prisons, to examine the difficult and harsh conditions imposed on them, and to hold the occupying state responsible for them.

Consequently, ICHR insists on the establishment of an independent international committee to investigate the conditions of detention and the deaths of these prisoners. ICHR also urges relevant international bodies to exert pressure on Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to resume its visits to Palestinian detainees in the prisons under occupation. This action is crucial for assessing the challenging and severe conditions faced by the detainees and for ensuring that the occupying state is held accountable for these circumstances.

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