Israel refuses to hand over body of cancer-stricken Palestinian inmate

Israel has refused to return the body of a Palestinian prisoner who died of cancer in the regime's jail to his family, citing a security cabinet ruling.

Israeli Minister of War Benny Gantz said on Wednesday the decision to withhold the body of Nasser Abu Hamid was made in accordance with the cabinet's policy of holding bodies for future prisoner exchanges with Palestinians.

Following the announcement, Abu Hamid's family said they will not accept condolences for the martyrdom of their son until his body is retrieved from the Israeli side and buried properly.

Abu Hamid was declared dead on Tuesday morning at the Israeli Shamir Medical Center, formerly known as Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, located 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) southeast of Tel Aviv.

He was transferred from the Ramla Prison Hospital to the medical center on Monday afternoon after his health condition severely deteriorated and he fell into a deep coma.

Abu Hamid was diagnosed with cancer in August 2021.

The 50-year-old Palestinian prisoner was wrestling with death as the Israeli prison service (IPS) continued to deny him necessary medical care.

He was incarcerated in 2002 and was sentenced to life imprisonment after an Israeli court found him guilty of participating in attacks during the Second Palestinian Intifadha (uprising).

Last September, Israeli doctors issued a medical report recommending Abu Hamid’s release, saying his lung cancer had reached an irreversible stage.

His family had appealed to all concerned international bodies to take urgent and effective action to save the life of their son.

A general strike was observed on Tuesday with stores, schools and businesses shut across the occupied West Bank to mourn Abu Hmaid’s martyrdom.

ME