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A prominent Gaza surgeon has died in an Israeli prison where he was held for more than four months, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Association.

A joint statement issued by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association and the Prisoners’ Affairs Authority on Thursday announced that Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, 50, head of orthopedics at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, had died in Israeli custody. Officials on April 19.

According to the report, al-Bursh was detained in December last year along with 10 medical staff during the Israeli army ground raid of Jabalya, while he was treating patients at Al Awda Hospital.

Prisoners’ associations blame Israel for his death, which is part of a “systematic attack against doctors and the health system in Gaza”.

Israeli authorities have yet to hand over his body, the statement said.

CNN contacted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.

Al-Shifa Hospital Director Dr. Marwan Abu Sada told CNN that Dr. Al-Bursh’s death was “heartbreaking news for everyone, his family, the medical staff at Al-Shifa Hospital, and Dr. Adnan’s patients.” .

“This is the last thing we expected and this news is hard for the human soul to bear. I was at the bereavement house a little while ago where his family is deeply saddened beyond belief,” he said.

“Dr Adnan loved life, he was cheerful and loved by all,” he added.

Sada said he had previously asked Israeli authorities about his friend’s arrest but had received “no news”.

However, he said another prisoner released from the same prison claimed al-Bursh had been tortured and killed.

CNN could not independently verify the claim that al-Bursh was tortured in detention.

However, the testimonies of dozens of Palestinians released by Israel in recent months have condemned the widespread use of physical and psychological abuse against those detained by Israel during the Gaza war.

The IDF has previously said it treats all detainees in accordance with international law.

An unpublished United Nations report obtained by CNN details assaults, sleep deprivation, sexual abuse and threats of sexual violence against men and women detained by the Israeli military.

Earlier Thursday, Israel released dozens of Gaza prisoners through the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Among them was the body of Ismail Khadr, a 33-year-old Palestinian from Gaza who died recently in Israeli custody, the prisoners’ associations said in a joint statement.

With the deaths of the two, the total number of Palestinian prisoners who have died in Israeli custody since October 7 has risen to 18, according to prisoners’ associations.