Former Palestinian prisoner Moatasem Raddad, 42, from the town of Seida north of Tulkarem, passed away on Thursday in an Egyptian hospital due to complications from multiple chronic illnesses that significantly worsened during his time in Israeli detention.

Raddad was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. During his incarceration, he suffered from serious health conditions, many of which stemmed from shrapnel injuries sustained at the time of his arrest. According to rights groups and family statements, Raddad's health rapidly deteriorated due to what they described as persistent medical neglect in prison.

He was diagnosed with severe intestinal inflammation, chronic bleeding, hypertension, respiratory problems, irregular heart rhythms, and debilitating pain in his back and joints. Despite his critical condition, Raddad was reportedly denied adequate medical treatment and repeatedly transferred between Ofer Prison and the Ramla Prison Clinic under harsh conditions that further exacerbated his suffering.

Following his release under a prisoner exchange deal mediated by Palestinian resistance groups, Raddad was transferred to a hospital in Egypt for treatment. However, the prolonged neglect he endured left him in irreversible decline, and he succumbed to his illnesses on Thursday.

Raddad's death has drawn renewed attention to the issue of medical negligence in Israeli prisons, which human rights advocates have long criticized. His case underscores the dire consequences of prolonged denial of appropriate healthcare to detainees.

Palestinian officials and advocacy groups have expressed outrage over Raddad’s death, calling for international accountability and stronger protections for prisoners’ rights under international law. (ILKHA)