A newly unsealed court ruling has found that a Palestinian teenager was subjected to starvation while in Israeli detention, though the exact cause of his death could not be conclusively established.
Teen died after months in detention
The victim, Walid Ahmad, was 17 years old and had spent around six months in detention before collapsing in March 2025.
According to family members, he had been arrested from his home in Silwad in the occupied West Bank during a pre-dawn raid in September 2024, allegedly for stone-throwing.
Palestinian officials stated that he was the first detainee under 18 to die in Israeli custody.
Court acknowledges starvation
In the ruling, Israeli judge Ehud Kaplan noted that evidence clearly showed the teenager had been starved.
However, the court concluded that there was insufficient proof to directly link starvation as the definitive cause of death, citing limitations in medical findings.
As a result, the investigation into the case was closed.
Medical findings raise concerns
Medical observations indicated that the teenager was suffering from severe malnutrition and had signs of illness, including scabies. An autopsy report suggested starvation was likely a major contributing factor, though not definitively established as the cause of death.
The findings have raised concerns among observers regarding detention conditions and the treatment of minors.
Case draws international attention
The case has sparked renewed debate over the handling of juvenile detainees in conflict zones and the need for transparency and accountability.
Human rights advocates have called for closer scrutiny of detention practices, particularly involving minors, emphasising the importance of safeguarding basic rights and wellbeing.