Palestinian Teen Who Died in Israeli Prison Showed Signs of Starvation

Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy who died in Israeli custody last month, exhibited signs of severe starvation and neglect, according to a report by an independent doctor who observed his autopsy.

Ahmad had been detained for six months without formal charges, and was reportedly suffering from extreme malnutrition, colon inflammation, and scabies, based on findings shared by Dr. Daniel Solomon, a surgeon who attended the autopsy at the request of the family. His observations were submitted in a report obtained by the Associated Press.

While the autopsy did not officially determine a cause of death, Solomon’s report highlights severe weight loss, muscle wasting, and records from the prison clinic indicating Ahmad had complained about food shortages since at least December.

Ahmad reportedly collapsed and struck his head at Megiddo Prison, with other prisoners alleging he had long shown signs of deteriorating health. Israeli authorities have launched an internal investigation, but results have yet to be publicly released.

According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Ahmad is the youngest Palestinian to die in Israeli detention since the start of the Gaza war in October. He was arrested during a predawn raid in the West Bank for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli forces.

The autopsy was conducted on March 27 at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, which has declined to comment or publish its own findings. Ahmad’s family lawyer, Nadia Daqqa, confirmed Solomon was granted permission by an Israeli civil court to observe the procedure.

Calls for accountability and independent investigations have intensified as the case draws international scrutiny over the treatment of Palestinian detainees, particularly minors, amid the ongoing Israeli raids.