GAZA, January 21, 2007, (WAFA)- Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs (MPA) reported Saturday that 187 Palestinian prisoners died in Israeli prison since the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) in 1967.

In a new report issued Sunday, MPA said that after the death of Jamal al-Sarahin 37, who died Tuesday in an Israeli prison as a result of health deterioration, the number of the dead prisoners climbed to 187.

MPA added that 43 of those victims died because of health carelessness by Israeli jailers and physicians.

It revealed that the prisoners die in Israeli prisons because of three reasons, extrajudicial execution, torture or health deterioration. MPA said that 50 prisoners were assassinated after their release during al-Aqsa Intifada.

The MPA's report recalled the Israeli killing of prisoners Asaad Sawwa and Bassam Smodi at Ansar 3 Prison on August 16, 1988.

The report said that the Israeli Government is the only government in the world provides legal cover for the fatal and illegal torture in its prisons.

At least 10000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails including women and children. Hundreds of them are detained under the Israeli regulation of "administrative detention" which allows arresting Palestinians without any charge or investigation.

S.A.S. (13:06 P) (11:06 GMT)