Circumstances Surrounding the Death of a Palestinian Prisoner Who Was Freed After 19 Years in Israeli Prisons
Al Jazeera Net - Atef Daghlas - 6/12/2024
Tulkarm – The circumstances surrounding the first arrest of Palestinian prisoner Mohammad Aref in 2002 were strikingly similar to his most recent detention just a week ago. In the first instance, he returned free after 19 years of imprisonment, while in the latter, his martyrdom shook his family and pointed to a serious escalation in the direct and deliberate targeting of prisoners' lives.
In a joint statement received by Al Jazeera Net, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Palestinian Prisoners Club announced last Wednesday the death of prisoner Mohammad Walid Hussein Aref (45 years old) at the Israeli Rambam Hospital. He had been transferred there from the Israeli Jalameh detention center. The statement did not disclose details about the circumstances of his death.
However, the statement did not dismiss torture as a clear indicator of his death, describing it as “one of the primary systematic policies practiced by the occupation against Palestinian detainees.”
Aref, also known as Abu Al-Baraa, had been pursued for an entire year before his arrest, which his family only learned of after two months. During that time, a friend who was with him was killed, and Aref's fate remained unknown to his family until they were informed of his arrest and his subjection to harsh interrogation, resulting in a 19-year prison sentence.
The occupation re-arrested him on November 28, 2024, in a manner described as no less terrifying and violent. His martyrdom was announced just a few days later, leaving his family devastated by his permanent absence. They only learned of his death through the news, which noted that he became the 48th prisoner to die since the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.
His younger brother, Osayd, recounted how Israeli special forces surrounded their house in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm after midnight. They summoned Mohammad by phone, instructing him to come outside immediately, bringing only his cellphone and ID. He was arrested without bidding farewell to his elderly parents, young daughter, or siblings, alongside his nephew.
Osayd told Al Jazeera Net that the family had no information about Mohammad's condition for an entire week. They had been awaiting a court session scheduled for the previous Thursday but were instead struck by the news of his death, which Osayd described as “a thunderbolt.” He accused the occupation of “assassinating and intentionally executing” his brother.
Osayd emphasized that his brother was in good health and did not suffer from any illnesses. Since his release three years ago, Mohammad had not engaged in any political or party activities. Osayd dismissed any claims the occupation might make about the circumstances of Mohammad’s death, especially as his body remains in custody and is set to undergo an autopsy.
He asserted, “The occupation’s hatred for my brother and its daily assassinations of Palestinians are not surprising. This is the real reason behind his killing, but such acts will not serve as a deterrent because there are hundreds like Abu Al-Baraa.”
Palestinian prisoner organizations echoed this sentiment in their statement, labeling Mohammad’s death as a case of "direct execution." They highlighted that torture has become an unprecedented systematic policy that leads to the death of detainees, especially those with pre-existing illnesses. They warned of the catastrophic and terrifying conditions prisoners face, noting that the testimonies of released prisoners often reveal shocking details about the risks detainees face daily.
According to the same source, Mohammad Aref is the 48th prisoner to die since the start of the war on Gaza. Only data on those 48 individuals has been obtained, while dozens of detainees from Gaza remain unaccounted for due to the occupation’s concealment of information.
In an earlier interview with Al Jazeera Net, Abdullah Zughari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, attributed the rise in prisoner deaths to “genocide” perpetrated by Israel, particularly against Gaza prisoners subjected to enforced disappearance.
Thaer Shreitah, spokesperson for the Prisoners’ Affairs Authority, stated that Mohammad Aref was subjected to “a real assassination” resulting from torture, beating, and inhumane treatment by prison guards.
Born in the Jabal Al-Nasr neighborhood of the Nur Shams refugee camp, Mohammad grew up in a struggling and committed family with nine siblings (five sisters and four brothers). He was known for his discipline and good character from an early age, learning the Quran at the Abu Al-Arqam Mosque and memorizing over 20 parts with mastery.
Mohammad attended UNRWA schools in the camp and completed his secondary education in the literary stream at Ihsan Samara School in Tulkarm. He pursued higher education at Al-Quds Open University, majoring in accounting, though he was arrested during his final semester. While in prison, he continued his studies and earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
At the young age of 16, Mohammad experienced his first arrest, spending several months in detention. He was arrested again in 2002 from the Manshiya neighborhood in the camp and sentenced to life imprisonment, which was later reduced to 19 years. His family home was also demolished during this period. He was released in 2021.
In prison, Mohammad held the position of "general emir" due to his leadership skills and fluency in Hebrew. He played a significant role in organizing the prisoners and achieving several gains for them. After his release, he focused on tending to his land and refrained from political activities, maintaining his reputation as a beloved and influential figure in his community.
Mohammad married a woman from the nearby town of Anabta and was the father of a two-year-old daughter, Musk. His wife is pregnant with their second child, whom he had already named Baraa.
The Nur Shams camp mourned Mohammad's death as a profound loss, posting banners and hosting a "house of congratulations" to receive mourners.
Source: Al Jazeera