A Palestinian mother from Gaza has accused Israeli occupation forces of torturing her son, Raafat Adnan Abdel Aziz Abu Funouneh, to death while he was detained in an Israeli prison. The 36-year-old father of one was arrested on October 7, 2023, during what Palestinians describe as Israel’s "war of extermination" against Gaza. His death has left his family and the Nuseirat refugee camp in shock, as they await his body and answers about his tragic fate.  

Raafat’s mother told Anadolu Agency that her son was in perfect health at the time of his arrest, weighing over 95 kilograms and free from chronic illnesses. His family had hoped for his release as part of the eighth batch of prisoner exchanges under the ceasefire agreement. However, last Wednesday, the Commission of Prisoners' Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club announced Raafat’s death, revealing that Israeli authorities had withheld details about his condition and denied him visits from family or lawyers. Reports indicate he was held in Ramleh prison before being transferred to Assaf Harofeh Hospital, where he died.  

Raafat’s death brings the number of Palestinian prisoners who have died in Israeli custody since October 7 to 60, with at least 39 from Gaza. Many of these deaths are attributed to torture, medical neglect, and starvation.  

Raafat’s mother described her son as a vibrant young man, full of life, and accused Israeli forces of murdering him. She shared that fellow prisoners had assured her of his good health, with one even conveying his greetings days before his death.  

The grieving mother has called on Arab and Islamic nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and human rights organizations to ensure her son’s body is returned for a dignified burial. She also expressed concern for her other son, Shadi, who remains detained and has reportedly suffered severe injuries during his arrest.  

This tragedy occurs amid a fragile ceasefire agreement, with negotiations for the second phase stalled due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resistance. Human rights groups continue to document widespread abuses against Palestinian detainees, including torture and denial of medical care.