They were forced to hand one son over to the Israeli army in return for another. Eight months later he was dead in prison
A Family’s Heartbreak: One Son Sacrificed, Another Lost to Death in Custody
The Tazaza family in the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya mourns the loss of their youngest son, Ahmad, who died in Israel’s Megiddo prison on 3 August 2025. His parents, Najah Abdul Qader and Saeed Tazaza, say they are consumed by sorrow and regret over his death, which they believe was a direct consequence of their desperate decision to surrender him to the Israeli military.
Ahmad, a 20-year-old with no prior health issues, was handed over to authorities in January 2025 during a tense encounter in the occupied West Bank. His parents claim they did not understand why he was targeted, yet the situation mirrored the fate of countless Palestinian youths detained under administrative measures. These detentions allow indefinite imprisonment without formal charges, trials, or access to legal counsel.
The Exchange of Sons
Months before Ahmad’s arrest, the family’s home was repeatedly raided by Israeli security forces. The Tazazas endured threats and intimidation, with their property left in ruins after an attack that destroyed everything inside. During one such raid, the family was separated—Ahmad’s brother and father were taken, only to be released the next day with a demand for their youngest son.
“They smashed the house and destroyed everything,” said Najah Abdul Qader. “He was not at home; he was working at the market and sleeping there that night. They took his brother and his father, then said, ‘We want him’.”
Amid escalating pressure, an Israeli soldier threatened to bomb the house unless Ahmad surrendered himself. He had previously escaped a similar threat by leaping from a vehicle as it was crushed by a bulldozer. Eventually, the family was compelled to hand him over after his brother was detained a second time. “We were forced, and we handed him over. What could we do? This is our fate,” recalled Saeed Tazaza.
At the Salem checkpoint near Jenin, Ahmad’s parents delivered him to Israeli authorities. As he walked away from them, his mother said, “I knew he would not return.” She believed they had spared his life by sending him to prison, where she hoped he would survive.
A Life Cut Short
Ahmad’s death in custody has sparked questions about the conditions he endured. According to a post-mortem report obtained by Middle East Eye, he was described as healthy at the time of detention. However, his prison records noted ailments such as diarrhoea and scabies, along with a sore throat in the days before his death. On 2 August, an on-call physician observed blood stains on his trousers, raising concerns about his health.
“During the clinic visit, Mr Tazaza requested to go to the toilet and later collapsed to the floor, losing consciousness and vital signs. Resuscitation attempts were initiated, but despite intubation and CPR, he was pronounced dead,” the report stated.
The findings suggest possible indicators of a severe blood cancer, such as acute leukaemia or aggressive lymphoma, though no evidence of sudden death causes was found. Despite this, the family disputes the account, as they have not yet seen Ahmad’s body, which remains in Israeli custody. Their knowledge of his final days comes largely from accounts shared by other prisoners after their release.
“I handed my son to my enemy,” said Qader, reflecting on her regret. “But we wanted to protect him.” She also recalled her son’s words: “Mum, they torture people in prison.” She had vowed to let him endure the pain, as long as he was not killed or shot.
