RAMALLAH, Saturday, October 22, 2022 (WAFA) – Despite several rejections by the Israeli authorities to free cancer patient Palestinian prisoner Nasser Abu Hmeid, who is believed to be close to death, the Palestinians have not yet given up on him.

The Israeli District Court is expected to hold another session tomorrow, Sunday, to look once again into an appeal for the release of 50-year-old Abu Hmeid due to the serious deterioration of his health, according to the Prisoners Affairs Commission.

It said its lawyer had submitted a request for the release of Abu Hmeid, from Amari refugee camp in Ramallah, bearing in mind that the legal option comes after exhausting all attempts for his release and despite knowing of Israel’s intransigent position and refusal to release him.

A spokesman for the Prisoners Affairs Commission said in a telephone conversation with WAFA that Abu Hmeid's condition is getting worse by the day and that he suffers from loss of weight, breathes only through an oxygen mask, is unable to speak normally, and eats only crushed food as a result of the spread of cancer in his body.

The Prisoner’s Society said a few days ago that recent medical reports indicate the continuous and rapid deterioration of Abu Hmeid’s health condition after the doctors decided to stop his chemotherapy.

It said that he had recently contracted pneumonia, which prompted his transfer to the hospital, but he was later brought back to Ramla prison.

It is noteworthy to mention that doctors last September issued a medical report recommending his release expecting his death at any time but that a court held to look into a request by the doctors for his release has rejected it.

M.K.