A Hamas leader died in Israeli custody in the West Bank, Palestinian authorities and the group said Friday, as Israeli attacks against unarmed Palestinians continued unabated in Gaza. Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara, 63, died after being moved from a prison in southern Israel to a hospital, according to a joint statement by the Palestinian Authority's prisoners affairs body and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club watchdog. "We mourn the passing of the leader and prisoner Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad Abu Ara and hold the occupation responsible for his assassination through deliberate medical neglect," Hamas said in a statement.

Abu Ara was arrested in October while suffering severe health problems, the Palestinian body and the watchdog said. During his detainment he was subjected to torture and starvation, they added. Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Palestinian authorities accused Israel this month of waging an abusive "war of revenge" against Palestinian detainees since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. At the time, the Israeli military said it "rejects outright allegations concerning systematic abuse of detainees", adding that it acts within international law.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan