Shocking Starvation Death of Palestinian Teen in Israeli Prison – 5 Alarming Facts Revealed

A 17-year-old Palestinian boy, Walid Ahmad, died in Israeli custody after six months of detention without charges, with a medical report indicating likely starvation. The autopsy, observed by Israeli doctor Daniel Solomon, noted severe malnutrition, colon inflammation, and scabies, pointing to neglect and poor prison conditions. Walid had reportedly complained of insufficient food since December. His death occurred after collapsing and hitting his head in Megiddo Prison, prompting an internal investigation by Israeli authorities.

He is the youngest Palestinian detainee to die since the Gaza war began. In a separate incident, 14-year-old Palestinian-American Omar Mohammad Rabea was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya. Officials claimed he was involved in rock-throwing, while Palestinian authorities called it an extra-judicial killing. The events reflect escalating violence in the West Bank amid ongoing military raids and settler attacks since October 2023.

Shocking Starvation Death of Palestinian Teen in Israeli Prison – 5 Alarming Facts Revealed

A 17-year-old Palestinian detainee, Walid Ahmad, died in an Israeli prison under circumstances suggesting severe neglect and starvation, according to a medical report reviewed by his family. Walid had been held without formal charges for six months following his arrest in September during a military raid in the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities accused him of throwing stones at soldiers—a common allegation against Palestinian youths.

An autopsy observed by Israeli physician Dr. Daniel Solomon revealed Walid suffered from extreme malnutrition, significant weight loss, muscle depletion, colon inflammation, and scabies—conditions indicative of prolonged deprivation and poor prison conditions. Although the official cause of death remains unconfirmed, prison medical records show Walid had repeatedly reported insufficient food since December. Israeli prison officials have opened an investigation, pledging to share their findings with the relevant authorities.

Walid’s death marks the youngest fatality among Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. The human rights group Physicians for Human Rights Israel highlighted his case as part of a broader pattern of systemic neglect and abuse faced by Palestinian prisoners. His family condemned his detention as unjust, emphasizing that he was a minor denied legal recourse.

U.S.-Palestinian Teen Killed in West Bank Clashes

In a separate incident, 14-year-old Omar Mohammad Rabea, a Palestinian-American, was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a raid in Turmus Ayya, a West Bank town. Palestinian officials described the shooting as an “extra-judicial execution,” alleging Omar and two others were targeted by an Israeli settler near the town’s entrance before soldiers detained the wounded teens. Omar later succumbed to his injuries.

The Israeli military claimed the teens were part of a group throwing rocks at a highway, endangering civilians, and stated that forces responded with live fire during a “counterterrorism operation.” Turmus Ayya’s mayor, Adeeb Lafi, contested this narrative, asserting that the boys posed no immediate threat. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of fostering a culture of impunity that enables violence against Palestinians.

Escalating Violence and International Response

These incidents occur amid surging violence in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations, settler attacks, and Palestinian protests have intensified since the Gaza war began. Over 500 Palestinians, including children, have been killed in the territory, according to UN data, alongside rising casualties among Israeli security personnel and settlers.

The Biden administration and several European nations previously sanctioned violent Israeli settlers, though these measures were revoked under former U.S. President Donald Trump. Critics argue the lack of accountability emboldens settler militias, who often act with military backing. Meanwhile, Israel defends its West Bank operations as necessary to combat armed groups, including Hamas, which has expanded its presence in areas under nominal Palestinian Authority control.

Broader Implications

Walid’s and Omar’s deaths underscore the human toll of the ongoing conflict, particularly on minors. Rights organizations accuse Israel of violating international law through arbitrary detentions, excessive force, and collective punishment. Israeli authorities maintain their actions are defensive, aimed at curbing terrorism.

The international community faces mounting pressure to intervene, as humanitarian groups call for independent investigations into alleged abuses. With no resolution in sight, the cycle of violence continues to devastate Palestinian communities, deepening grievances and fueling further instability in the region.