Israeli occupation refused to hand over the body of Palestinian cancer-stricken prisoner Nasser Abu Hamid for burial as designated prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to declare later on Wednesday that he is able to form a government.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has decided not to return the body of martyr Nasser Abu Hamid to his family for burial, Israeli media reported.
In his statement on Wednesday, Gantz said his decision not to return Abu Hamid’s body was made on the recommendation of Israeli security officials and in accordance with the cabinet’s decision on the policy of holding Palestinian bodies in order to swap them for Israeli captives in the future, Haaretz reported.
Abu Hamid, 51, was pronounced martyred on Tuesday morning after battling lung cancer for long months in Israeli detention.
Last year, the prisoner suffered from a serious health problem in his lungs, but the Israeli prison service delayed his transfer to the hospital and neglected his suffering for long months before deciding to take him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer.
A general strike was declared and processions were held yesterday across the West Bank in mourning for Abu Hamid’s martyrdom
Netanyahu Faces Midnight Deadline
Facing a Wednesday night deadline, Netanyahu is expected to declare later in the day that he is able to form a government, as his incoming right-religious bloc works to pass several legislative changes before taking office.
Netanyahu has until midnight to inform President Isaac Herzog, who formally tasked him with forming a new ruling coalition after last month’s Knesset elections, whether he has the votes to swear in a new government, The Times of Israel reported.
The Likud party leader can alternatively ask for an additional four days to finalize his coalition, after receiving a 10-day extension from Herzog, but appeared unlikely to do so, according to the daily.
Once the proposed government and agreements are presented, Netanyahu will have a week to swear in his government.
The Israeli parliament (Knesset) plenum only meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and, as the announcement is expected on Wednesday, the confidence vote could only happen the following Monday. This means the government must be sworn in a week later, Monday, January 2, i24news reported.
Source: Israeli media
