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Israeli medical neglect killed Maisara Abu Hamdiyya. On April 2, he succumbed. He did so shackled painfully to his Soroka Hospital bed. He called going there "another journey of suffering." He was 64. He suffered from advanced throat cancer. It spread to his spine.
Israel bears full responsibility. Days earlier, he lost bodily movement. Death was imminent. In August 2012, he complained of throat soreness and neck swelling.
Proper treatment was denied. Biopsy results were concealed. Severe pain increased.
He began losing weight. He lost his voice. In January, it was entirely gone. He was fading. He had little time to live. He wasn't told he had cancer until March. It was way too late to save him.
He was born in Hebron. He challenged occupation harshness. He joined the Union of Palestinian Students. He studied electronics in Cairo. He earned a law degree in Beirut. At home, he faced repeated arrests.
He spent four decades in exile. In 1969, he was first imprisoned. He worked in Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Jordan. He risked arrest at home. He was detained numerous times. He was held administratively without charge or trial.
Post-Oslo, he worked for the newly-formed PA Preventive Security Force. On June 2, 2005, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. It was extended to 99 years. He committed no crimes.
He was a leader. He taught, wrote and inspired. Young prisoners admired him. He was a role model. In 2007, he developed a painful stomach ulcer. He endured willful medical neglect. He explained his ordeal on Facebook, saying:
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