Israeli authorities have officially confirmed the death of Ihab Diab, a Palestinian detainee who died while in custody nearly two years ago. The confirmation follows a prolonged period during which the details of his passing had not been publicly addressed by the state.

There is a sharp disagreement regarding the cause of Diab’s death. Israeli officials have attributed the death to underlying health issues. In contrast, Diab’s family has publicly rejected this explanation, alleging that he was subjected to torture while in detention. The family maintains that the mistreatment they claim he endured was the primary factor leading to his death, rather than natural causes or pre-existing medical conditions.

The delay in the official confirmation has added to the tension surrounding the case, with the family seeking further clarity on the conditions of his confinement and the specific events leading up to his death. As of now, the Israeli prison service has not provided further documentation to reconcile these conflicting accounts, leaving the investigation into the exact cause of death a matter of intense dispute between the state and the family.