Waleed Dakka, a Palestinian writer and human rights activist, passed away in Israeli custody.

Waleed Dakka, a Palestinian writer and human rights activist, passed away in Israeli custody. He had been suffering from cancer, and his death occurred at the Shamer Medical Center in Israel. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs has highlighted the gradual policy of "slow killing" as the reason behind Dakka's demise. In Israeli prisons, there is a practice of implementing a "gradual killing" policy against detainees.  Waleed Dakka spent 38 years in Israeli detention, primarily in the Bak'a al-Gharbiye city prison. During his imprisonment, he authored several books, including one focused on children. In 1999, while still in captivity, he got married. In 2020, his wife, Sana Salameh, gave birth to their child, named Milad. Despite the challenges, they found a way to conceive after sperm transfer from Dakka following his relocation from prison.

 

 

 Last year, Dakka was diagnosed with  myelofibrosis , a rare form of bone marrow cancer. Following this diagnosis, human rights organizations pressured Israel to provide him with proper medical care. However, Israel rejected immediate release from prison. The situation escalated further when Dakka's health deteriorated.  

 

In October 2023, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at least 10 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli custody in the Gaza Strip. However, independent investigations suggest that the actual number of fatalities may be higher, with around 27 deaths. Before this, in 2020, four Palestinians died in Israeli custody. In November 2021, 39-year-old former detainee Sami Umur passed away due to severe heart disease. His urgent need for medical attention was not met during his imprisonment.  The situation of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons remains a contentious issue, with human rights organizations advocating for proper healthcare and timely access to specialized medical professionals. Israel's rejection of immediate release continues to be a point of concern. The United Nations has also raised concerns about the lack of access to specialized medical care for detainees, especially painkillers for various health conditions.