Palestinian prisoner died on Thursday in the Israeli prison of Shatta. Bashar Bani Odeh 27, from the village of Tammoun, near Tobbas, has died as a result of the Israeli deliberate medical ignorance, WAFA reported.
Meanwhile, the Quartet reaffirmed Thursday its support for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank, and an orderly Palestinian takeover there. In a statement issued following its meeting in London, the Quartet reiterated its belief that this is a moment of optimism in the search for peace in the Middle East, and is an opportunity that should not be missed to revitalize the Roadmap.
"The Quartet encourages Israelis and Palestinians to take full advantage of this opportunity in order to move closer to the goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security", the statement reads.
It also affirmed that a new Palestinian state must be truly viable with contiguity in the West Bank, welcoming the meeting on June 21 between Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas.
The Quartet emphasized the urgent need for Israel and the Palestinians to work directly and cooperatively with each other, with the assistance of James Wolfensohn, the Quartet Special Envoy for Gaza Withdrawal.
"The Quartet underlines that the coordinated support of the international donor community is crucial for the success of Mr. Wolfensohn's mission, and urges Arab states to engage fully in this regard", it added.
The Committee also urged Israel to take immediate steps to relieve the economic hardships faced by the Palestinian people and to facilitate rehabilitation and reconstruction by easing the flow of goods and people in and out of Gaza Strip and the West Bank and between them.
