Brazilian killed in Israeli prison was the victim of extreme hunger

The adolescent of Brazilian-Palestinian origin Walid Khalid Ahmad, just 17, lost his life due to extreme hunger during his arrest in an institution of Israel, according to autopsy. He was the first underage to die in custody of that country’s authorities since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023.

Dead in the prison of Megido, on March 22, Ahmad was arrested on September 30, 2024. According to the ABU Kabir Forensic Institute’s report in Tel Aviv, the boy “suffered from extreme malnutrition, probably prolonged, as observed by the deeply cachet state and inadequate food intake complaints since at least 2024”.

Also according to the report, the young man had severe weight and muscle loss, pondering that this level of malnutrition increases the “risk of infectious complications, including severe sepsis.”

According to CNN, the Israeli prison service stated that “when receiving the initial report on the condition of the detainee, a medical team was called to the scene and responded as necessary.”

After becoming aware of the case, the Brazilian government, through Itamaraty, issued a note on March 25 in which it regretted the fact and pointed out that it would continue to demand explanations from Israel. “In line with its international obligations, the Israeli government should conduct a swift and independent investigation about the causes of death, as well as to publicize its conclusions,” he said.

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The day before, Itamaraty also called for clarification from the Israeli ambassador in Brazil, Daniel Zonshine.

According to the Brazilian government, there are currently 11 nationals who lived in Palestine and who are arrested in Israel, “most of whom were not formally accused or judged, in clear violation of humanitarian international law,” says a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ahmad was also arrested under these circumstances.

In addition to the young Brazilian, at least 63 Palestinians have so far died in Israeli arrests since the beginning of conflicts.

With agencies