Abdullah Al-Zughari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, has criticized the international community’s double standards in addressing the plight of Palestinian prisoners, accusing it of ignoring Israeli violations against detainees. His remarks follow the death of 62-year-old Palestinian prisoner Ali Ashour Al-Batsh from Gaza, who died in an Israeli prison after being transferred from Negev Prison to a hospital. Al-Batsh is the fourth prisoner to die recently due to systematic abuses in Israeli detention facilities.  

In an exclusive statement to *Snd News Agency*, Al-Zughari highlighted the stark contrast between Western countries’ concern for Gaza and their silence on the suffering of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. He accused Israel of employing repression, denial, and persecution in its prisons, in direct violation of international laws. “The world knows the occupation disregards all treaties and continues its aggression against prisoners,” he said.  

Al-Zughari warned that such policies could lead to more deaths among detainees, condemning the lack of accountability for crimes committed against them. He noted that Israel refuses to disclose the identities of many prisoners who have died due to torture and medical neglect.  

Calling for urgent action, Al-Zughari urged the formation of international committees to inspect prison conditions and document the denial of basic rights, including medical care and family visits. With Al-Batsh’s death, the number of prisoners who have died in Israeli custody since the start of the war has risen to 62, including at least 40 from Gaza. This marks the deadliest period for Palestinian prisoners since 1967, according to the Commission of Detainees and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club.