![Palestinian doctor Adnan Al-Bursh [ShehabAgency/Twitter]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The family of the late Palestinian doctor, Adnan Al-Bursh, has rejected Tel Aviv’s request to perform an autopsy on his body, Sama reported.
Al-Bursh died on 2 May in Israeli prisons, months after his arrest while working at a hospital in northern Gaza.
Director General of the Gaza Ministry of Health, Munir Al-Bursh, stated: “The occupation opened an internal investigation into Adnan’s death and requested an autopsy, but the family refused.”
Munir, who is also Al-Bursh’s cousin, called for an international investigation into what he described as the assassination of Dr Adnan during his arrest and subsequent interrogation in Israeli prisons.
Before his death, Al-Bursh held the position of consultant and head of the orthopaedic department at Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. He was arrested in December 2023 while at Al-Awda Hospital alongside a group of doctors. Israel continues to hold his body.
On 16 May, Tlaleng Mofokeng, the UN special rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, called for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding Al-Bursh’s death.
Palestinian governmental and human rights organisations have repeatedly warned of the severe conditions inside Israeli prisons, particularly for detainees from Gaza, who are subjected to torture during arrest and interrogation. This has already led to the death of a number of them.
READ: Gazan detainees face torture, rape in Israeli prisons: Lawyer