Strike in Bethlehem To Mourn Martyred Prisoner Hussein Masalmeh

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After spending 19 years in occupation prisons, released prisoner Hussein Masalmeh was martyred after suffering from medical negligence from the occupation.

Masalmeh was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2002. As soon as his death was reported at Ramallah Hospital, marches began towards his house in Bethlehem.

A strike was announced by the Fatah movement and the factional coordination committee in the Bethlehem Governorate.

Numerous shops and official institutions partook in the strike in mourning of the martyr. The Teachers' Union in Bethlehem also announced that schools would be joining the strike.

Earlier, the Prisoners Information Office said that Masalmeh was subjected to a deliberate assassination by the occupation which neglected his treatment during his imprisonment, letting cancer ravage his body until it reached a critical stage.

The Hamas movement held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the martyrdom of Masalmeh, who was subjected to poor medical and living conditions during his incarceration, as are the rest of the prisoners in occupation prisons.

The movement added that this was a "Crime against humanity" on the record of the Israeli occupation reflecting the extent of the violations of the Israeli occupation against Palestinians, particularly prisoners.

The Hamas movement called on all Palestinians to maintain their covenant with Palestinian prisoners, and to participate in all events and activities that support the rights of prisoners, in addition, to continuously exert pressure on the Zionist occupation to end their suffering.

International human rights institutions were urged to work quickly to ensure the safety of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in occupation prisons, as well as holding the occupation accountable for its crimes and abuse.