Palestinian prisoner dies of cancer in Israeli jail

A Palestinian prisoner serving a life sentence in Israel and who had been suffering from terminal cancer died at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on Tuesday, setting off unrest in a number of prisons. The prisoner, 63-year-old Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh, was a Hamas member from the West Bank who was sentenced to life in prison in 2002 for attempted murder, membership in a banned organisation, and illegal possession of firearms. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has blamed the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for the death of the prisoner. "The Palestinian presidency holds the government of Netanyahu responsible for the martyrdom of prisoner Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh today in the prisons of the Israeli occupation," Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said in a statement. Prisoner Maisara Abu Hamdyieh died today. He had cancer," Qadura Fares, head of the Ramallah-based Prisoners Club, said, accusing Israel of responsibility due to its "refusal to release him for treatment." The Palestine Liberation Organisation too lashed out at Israel, accusing the Jewish state of a "premeditated crime against humanity" and warning that more terminally ill prisoners could die. "We are still looking at a grave situation with the hunger-striking prisoners and dozens of cases of long-term illnesses in need of treatment," it said. "The world should move quickly in light of the deterioration of their health." Abu Hamdiyeh, who was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to life in jail, began complaining of throat problems about nine months ago and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. The Israel Prisons Service confirmed his death, adding that a process for his early release had been under way in the light of his deteriorating health. Following his death, Palestinian prisoners began to riot in a number of Israeli prisons, including Ramon, Ktzi'ot, Eshel and Nafha. The Palestinian prisoners banged on cell doors and threw objects.