An autopsy has revealed that a Palestinian minor, 17-year-old Walid Khaled Abdullah Ahmad, was starved to death while in Israeli custody, Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) reported on Thursday.
Ahmad, a resident of the town of Silwad, died at the Israeli Megiddo Prison in late March under harrowing conditions.
According to DCIP, Ahmad’s death was likely the result of “starvation, dehydration from colitis-induced diarrhea, and infectious complications all compounded by prolonged malnutrition and denial of life-saving medical intervention.”
The autopsy, conducted at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, also uncovered alarming signs of abuse. The examination showed considerable air accumulation in both the chest and abdominal cavities—findings that DCIP said were “likely caused by blunt trauma.”
In addition, evidence of inflammation, edema, and congestion in the large intestine pointed to traumatic injuries, possibly inflicted by beatings at the hands of Israeli prison guards.
Further examination revealed that Ahmad had suffered from extreme, likely prolonged, malnutrition. A laceration was also found on his neck, adding to the growing indications that he was subjected to severe mistreatment.
‘Israel deliberately killing child detainees’
Speaking to the press, Ahmad’s father confirmed that Israeli authorities had subjected his son to “beatings, starvation, and medical neglect during his time in custody.”
“An autopsy report showed that he had lost a significant amount of weight, developed scabies and infections, and had fallen unconscious before his death,” he said, stressing, “Israel is deliberately killing child detainees. Walid had no prior health issues. He was starved, left untreated, and ultimately killed.”
He emphasized that his son’s death could have been prevented had Israeli authorities provided proper medical care and nutrition.
Ahmad also held Brazilian citizenship, a fact that has drawn considerable attention from Brazilian officials and civil organizations.
Calls for Netanyahu accountability
In a strongly worded statement, the Palestinian Arab Federation of Brazil (Fepal) condemned Ahmad’s death, calling it “completely untenable” for Brazil to maintain diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime.
“Perhaps it’s time for [Brazilian] Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to review the very mild statement he gave on October 23, 2024, when he said that breaking ties with the genociders of Tel Aviv ‘was not under consideration,’” the statement read.
Fepal urged Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to take decisive action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.
The organization stated that severing diplomatic relations and cooperation agreements with Israel “is a moral and legal obligation Brazil has with humanity, with the Palestinian people facing a final solution and with the Brazilian-Palestinian community, under penalty of going down in history as an actor accused of complicity in the Palestinian Holocaust.”
Israeli soldiers instructed to use brutal force against Palestinian detainees
Within the Israeli detention system, two facilities—Sde Teiman military base and a new detention center at Ofer prison—have emerged as focal points for accusations of mistreatment. A leaked testimony from an Israeli guard at Sde Teiman reveals that soldiers were encouraged to be violent toward Palestinian detainees. He recalled being told, “Shut up, you leftist, these are Gazans, these are terrorists, what’s wrong with you?” when he questioned the abuse.
Detainees from Sde Teiman reported being subjected to relentless loud music in a room dubbed the “disco”, with one detainee saying, “The trance music is meant to psychologically weaken you before the investigation.” Others described beatings, dog attacks, and electric shocks, with one stating, “Some people lost their hearing because blood came out of their ears due to the electric shocks.”
Medical neglect has also been widely reported. One autopsy found that a 20-year-old detainee with a medical condition requiring specialized care was denied treatment, leading to fatal complications.
Among those detained are healthcare workers, including prominent Palestinian doctors. Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a respected surgeon, died in Ofer prison in April under unknown circumstances. His widow, Yasmine, recounted accounts from his cellmates: “Before [Adnan’s] arrest, he weighed 90 kilograms, but his weight apparently dropped significantly to around 55 kg. He received very little food, just enough to keep him alive.”
Human rights groups estimate that at least 5,000 Palestinians are being held in administrative detention—without charge, trial, or access to evidence against them. Some detainees, including minors, have reportedly been brought before Israeli judges via video calls without legal representation.
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