The tragic story of Walid Khaled Abdallah, a 17-year-old Brazilian-Palestinian, has drawn international attention following his death in an Israeli prison, a case that raises serious concerns about human rights and the treatment of detainees. According to the international NGO Defense for Palestinian Children (DCIP), Walid died after fainting from hunger and hitting his head on the floor in a prison courtyard in Megiddo, northern Israel. This incident, which occurred on March 22, 2025, has sparked outrage and demands for accountability.
The DCIP reported that Walid fainted while in the prison yard, and although fellow detainees alerted the guards for help, their calls went unanswered. Instead, the other teenagers had to carry him to the gate, where prison officers eventually took him away. Medical personnel later attempted to revive him using a defibrillator and adrenaline, but their efforts were in vain. The autopsy revealed that Walid had starved, suffered from dehydration due to diarrhea, and faced complications from infections, with the situation exacerbated by prolonged malnutrition and lack of medical care.
According to the autopsy findings, Walid experienced extreme loss of muscle mass and body fat, and he also suffered from scabies on his legs and groin. The examination indicated he endured blunt trauma, and his condition had deteriorated significantly prior to his death. A family doctor who attended the autopsy noted that Walid had complained of head trauma and a lack of food during previous visits to the prison clinic.
Walid's detention began in September 2024, when he was taken by Israeli defense forces under accusations of assaulting soldiers. Despite being held for months, he had not been tried for any crimes before his death, a fact that highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. The Arab Palestinian Federation confirmed the details of his death and attributed the worsening of his health to the lack of medical attention.
In a statement, Ayed Abu Eqtaish, a director at the DCIP, emphasized the severity of the situation. "The autopsy of Walid indicates that the prison guards allowed him to starve and systematically abused him for months until he finally fainted, hit his head, and died," he said. This statement underscores the broader issues of neglect and abuse within the Israeli prison system, particularly concerning minors.
The Brazilian government expressed its deep concern over Walid's death. In a formal statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they received the news with "profound dismay" and would demand explanations from Israel regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of the minor. The ministry also highlighted that there are currently 11 Brazilians detained in Israeli prisons, most of whom have not been formally accused or tried, which they argue constitutes a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
Reports from various human rights organizations have painted a grim picture of the conditions within Israeli prisons, particularly for Palestinian detainees. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has documented instances of violence and neglect within these facilities, raising questions about the treatment of individuals, especially minors, who find themselves caught in the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Walid's case has become a focal point for activists and organizations advocating for the rights of Palestinian children. They argue that the use of hunger as a tool of oppression is a form of genocide aimed at weakening the spirit and body of detained Palestinian youth. "Hunger is a tool of genocide, seeking to weaken and ultimately destroy both the body and spirit of Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons. Walid's death was not an accident," Abu Eqtaish asserted.
The tragic circumstances of Walid Khaled Abdallah's death resonate deeply within the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has seen numerous instances of human rights violations and calls for justice. As international attention turns to this case, it serves as a reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform in the treatment of detainees, particularly minors.
As the investigation into Walid's death unfolds, many are left wondering what measures will be taken to ensure the humane treatment of all detainees in the future. The global community continues to watch closely, hoping for answers and a commitment to uphold human rights standards in all circumstances.
