Autopsy reveals troubling aspects related to detained Palestinian teenager's death

The Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, along with the Palestinian Prisoners Society, condemned the "Israeli" prison administration for the death of 17-year-old Walid Ahmad, calling it a complex crime resulting from systematic starvation and medical negligence.

An autopsy revealed that starvation was the primary factor contributing to the severe symptoms that led to his death. The medical report indicated that Ahmad had been examined in December 2024 and February 2025 for scabies and had complained of insufficient food intake.

On March 22, Ahmad lost consciousness and was subsequently transferred to the prison clinic, where efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, leading to his death. He is the first Palestinian under the age of 18 to die in "Israeli" custody.

Examinations showed significant air swelling and dense air pockets in various parts of his body, including around the heart, neck, chest, and abdomen. The report also noted severe atrophy in the abdominal area and a complete absence of muscle and fat tissue beneath the skin.

The autopsy confirmed that the causes of Ahmad's death included severe dehydration due to inadequate water supply, fluid loss from diarrhea linked to colitis, and air swelling in the chest. These findings underscore the extent of negligence and maltreatment by the prison administration.

Officials emphasized that Walid Ahmad's ordeal reflects a broader pattern of systematic medical crimes perpetrated against Palestinian prisoners, particularly children, by the Israeli Occupation prison system.

They urged the international community to take decisive action to hold the Israeli Occupation accountable for its ongoing war crimes against the Palestinian people and to ensure that those responsible for the torture and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners face justice.