Israel to hand over body of slain Palestinian Mohammed al-Rimawi

The Palestinian Civil Liaison Sunday informed the family of Mohammed al-Rimawi, who was killed due to the excessive use of force by Israeli soldiers during his arrest on September 18, will be handed over by the Israeli authorities later today.

Mohammad Zaghloul Rimawi, 24, died hours after he was detained by Israeli soldiers during an early morning raid at his home in Beit Rima, northwest of Ramallah.

The Detainees and Ex-Detainees Commission said the Israeli authorities notified the commission’s lawyer, Mohammed Mahmoud, of their decision to hand over al-Rimawi’s body later on Sunday without giving a specific time.

An autopsy performed on the body of al-Rimawi confirmed that Rimawi was beaten to death when he was arrested by Israeli soldiers.

The Ramallah-based Addameer human rights organization said the way the army has arrested Rimawi and its excessive use of force against him has led to his death. It said the deceased did not pose any threat to the soldiers to demand using excessive force against him, which is a violation of international humanitarian law that bans use of force against civilians who do not pose any real and direct threat.

It said that use of lethal force in this manner is considered extrajudicial execution.