Gaza Herald – Israeli authorities handed over the body of Waleed Khalid Ahmad, a 17-year-old from Salwad near Ramallah, following a legal process that resulted in an order for his release. The handover occurred on Thursday, concluding a period during which his family sought justice through the legal system.
Waleed Ahmad died in March 2025 inside Magen prison, approximately six months after his initial arrest. His death was attributed to severe starvation and the denial of necessary medical treatment and healthcare, which caused a critical deterioration in his health before he passed away.
In December 2025, the HaSharon District Court in Hadera decided to close the investigation into the circumstances of his death. The court cited the exhaustion of all available legal avenues as the reason for closing the file, despite medical evidence indicating that he had been subjected to starvation and suffered from declining health prior to his death.
The return of Ahmad’s body leaves the total number of prisoners’ bodies held by Israeli authorities at 98 since 1967. This figure includes those detained during previous conflicts and the current war that began on October 7, 2023.
According to data from the Prisoners and Exiled Ones Affairs Commission and the Palestinian Prisoners Club, 92 prisoners and detainees have died since the start of the war. Of these deaths, Israeli authorities continue to hold the bodies of 87 individuals.
Reports indicate that approximately 350 child prisoners are currently being held in Ofer and Magen prisons. These children face a series of violations and retaliatory measures similar to those experienced by adult prisoners, including starvation, torture, physical assaults, and denial of medical care.
The conditions of detention for these children have reportedly worsened since the beginning of the war, with reports highlighting severe hardships and systematic abuses against minors in custody.
Nadia Dqaq, a lawyer representing the Prisoners and Exiled Ones Affairs Commission, managed the legal follow-up that led to the release order for Ahmad’s body. Her involvement highlighted the ongoing efforts to secure the return of remains through judicial channels.
The commission and the club described Ahmad’s case as further evidence of crimes committed against prisoners within Israeli detention facilities. They criticized the Israeli judicial system for providing protection to officials responsible for these actions.
Organizations calling for accountability have reiterated demands for the immediate return of all held bodies and for those responsible for the mistreatment and deaths of prisoners to be held accountable under international law.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
