Nineteen Israeli prison guards are under investigation in the death of a 38-year-old Palestinian security prisoner in their custody, police said Thursday. Thaer Abu Assab was found with “severe signs of violence” on his body, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group. He died on Nov. 18 at the Ketziot prison in the southern Negev Desert.
Quick Read
- Investigation into Palestinian Prisoner’s Death: Nineteen Israeli prison guards are being investigated following the death of Thaer Abu Assab, a 38-year-old Palestinian security prisoner, in Israeli custody.
- Circumstances of Death: Abu Assab, who was serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder since his arrest in 2005, was found with severe signs of violence on his body at Ketziot prison in the Negev Desert.
- Demand for Autopsy and Investigation: The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, called for an investigation and autopsy. Initial difficulties in identifying the involved guards were reported due to their helmets.
- Police Investigation Initiated: The Israeli police announced the investigation after a gag order related to the case expired.
- Cooperation from Israel Prison Service: The Israel Prison Service stated its cooperation with the investigation process.
- Statistics on Palestinian Prisoners: Approximately 7,800 Palestinians are currently detained in Israeli prisons, with many arrests occurring since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on October 7.
- Rise in Administrative Detainees: Rights activists have noted an increase in the number of administrative detainees, who are held without trial or charges, reaching a record high.
The Associated press has the story:
Israeli police probes 19 prison guards in the death of a 38-year-old Palestinian prisoner
Newslooks- TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)
Nineteen Israeli prison guards are under investigation in the death of a 38-year-old Palestinian security prisoner in their custody, police said Thursday.
Thaer Abu Assab was found with “severe signs of violence” on his body, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group. He died on Nov. 18 at the Ketziot prison in the southern Negev Desert. Abu Assab was arrested in 2005 and was serving a 25-years sentence for attempted murder.
The Prisoners’ Club demanded an investigation, including an autopsy. Police originally told the group that it was difficult to identify the guards involved due to their helmets.
Police announced the investigation of the guards Thursday, after a gag order expired. The Israel Prison Service said it was cooperating.
The Prisoners’ Club says about 7,800 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons. Hundreds were rounded up since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, triggered by a deadly attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel.
Rights activists say the number of so-called administrative detainees, who are people held without trial or charges, is a record high.
