Gaza: Palestinian detainee Raafat Adnan Abdul Aziz Abu Funouneh, 34, has died in Israeli custody, as confirmed by the General Authority for Civil Affairs, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, and the Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS). Abu Funouneh, who was detained on October 7 along with his brother Shadi, succumbed to his injuries sustained during detention while in Ramla prison.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Abu Funouneh was recently transferred to Assaf Harofeh Hospital where his death was confirmed. Before his detention, Abu Funouneh reportedly did not suffer from any health issues. The occupying forces had withheld information about his condition and denied all requests for visits throughout his detention.
The organizations reported that with Abu Funouneh's death, the number of Palestinians who have died in Israeli prisons since the beginning of the genocide has risen to 60, with at least 39 from Gaza. This marks the highest number of deaths historically, indicating this as the bloodiest period for the prisoner movement since 1967.
It was noted that since 1967, the number of confirmed deceased prisoners has reached 297, with many still missing, particularly from Gaza, and subject to enforced disappearance. The organizations accused the Israeli forces of not only killing detainees but also concealing their fates and manipulating responses.
The authorities highlighted that the only information regarding the deceased prisoners comes from the Israeli army, and there is no other evidence of their deaths as Israel continues to withhold their bodies. They claim that investigations are often cited in responses to avoid international accountability.
The organizations held Israel fully responsible for Abu Funouneh's death and urged the international human rights community to take effective action against Israeli leaders for war crimes against Palestinians. They called for sanctions, international isolation of Israel, and the restoration of the human rights system's fundamental role.
Moreover, they demanded an end to what they describe as a state of helplessness affecting the human rights system during the genocide, and the exceptional immunity granted to Israel by former colonial powers, allowing it to evade accountability and punishment.
