Palestinian teenager held without charge dies after falling ill in Israeli jail

A 17-year-old boy from the West Bank who was held without charge for six months in an Israeli prison died after he collapsed in unclear circumstances, Palestinian officials have said.

- Lorenzo Tondo

According to his family, Walid Ahmad was "a healthy high-schooler" at the time of his arrest last September. He was held for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.

The family believes Walid contracted amoebic dysentery in the prison, an infection that causes diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness, and can be fatal if left untreated.

"He was a lively teenager who enjoyed playing soccer," his father, Khalid Ahmad, told AP. He said he had noticed during Walid's four court appearances over video link that his son appeared to be in poor health.