Israeli Judge Confirms Palestinian Teenager Was Starved in Prison Before Death
A newly-unsealed court ruling has revealed that an Israeli judge determined a Palestinian teenager was starved in prison before his death, though the investigation into the case was ultimately closed. The decision, which was first published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, centers on the death of 17-year-old Walid Ahmad, who died in Israeli detention in March 2025.
Details of the Case and Judicial Findings
According to the ruling, Judge Ehud Kaplan acknowledged that it was clear Ahmad had been starved during his six-month incarceration at Israel's Megiddo prison. The judge stated, "The fact that he was apparently starved cannot be hidden and should not be hidden." However, he concluded that while starvation was evident, it could not be definitively established as the direct cause of death, leading to the closure of the investigation in December.
Palestinian officials noted that Ahmad was the first Palestinian under the age of 18 to die in Israeli detention, drawing significant attention to the case. His family described him as a healthy teenager who was arrested during a pre-dawn raid in Silwad, a town in the occupied West Bank, in September 2024. He was accused of throwing stones at soldiers.
Medical Evidence and Investigation Process
An autopsy performed on Ahmad did not identify a single, definitive cause of death, but an Israeli doctor who observed the procedure reported that starvation was likely the leading factor. Dr. Daniel Solomon noted that the teen exhibited signs of extreme malnutrition and scabies. Despite these findings, Judge Kaplan ruled that the evidence of starvation did not prove a causal link to his death, stating, "I cannot determine based on the findings of the expert report that there is a causal connection between his poor physical condition and his death."
In Israel, judges can oversee investigations into deaths of detainees in custody, reviewing evidence to determine if wrongdoing occurred. If evidence of criminal activity is found, they can pursue indictments; otherwise, as in this case, they may order the investigation halted. Haaretz obtained and published the ruling after successfully petitioning to lift a gag order on the case.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The ruling has sparked discussions about the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the accountability mechanisms within the Israeli judicial system. Ahmad's family and supporters have expressed disappointment over the investigation's closure, arguing that the starvation evidence should have led to further scrutiny. The case underscores ongoing tensions in the region, particularly regarding the detention of minors and the conditions in Israeli prisons.
As the details emerge, human rights organizations may call for greater transparency and reform in how such deaths are investigated. The unsealing of this ruling provides a rare glimpse into the internal judicial processes surrounding detainee deaths, highlighting the complexities and challenges in establishing legal responsibility in such sensitive cases.
