Palestinians take to the streets after death of prisoner in Israel

Ramallah, Dec 20 (Prensa Latina) Several clashes broke out in the West Bank after the death of a sick Palestinian who was imprisoned in Israel, sparking harsh criticism and condemnations against the Tel Aviv authorities.

Arab television stations reported clashes across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where Palestinians set tires on fire and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers.

According to the Maan news agency, in the center of the city of Hebron Israeli forces deployed tear gas against young people demonstrators in the streets.

They also repressed protests in the town of Beit Ummar and in the Arroub refugee camp north of Hebron.

The Fatah government movement and various groups called for a general strike in the occupied territories, shortly after news of the death of 50-year-old Nasser Abu Hmaid, who suffered from lung cancer for more than a year, despite of which the Tel Aviv authorities refused to release him.

Following the situation, President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the death of Abu Hamid as a result of the prison administration’s policy of “deliberate medical negligence against prisoners”.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh spoke in a similar vein, and also called on the Red Cross and other international and human rights institutions to intervene to release sick prisoners, the elderly and women detained in Israel.

“Abu Hamid represents the history of the Palestinian people in all its details from the cradle to the grave,” said the ruling Fatah group, while the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) assured that Israel will pay a high price for its crimes.