Thousands on hunger strike over man's death in custody

Palestinian officials said Arafat Jaradat was mistreated by Israel's Shin Bet security service and was healthy at the time of his arrest last week.

They called for a full independent international investigation into Israel's treatment of detainees.

Israel claims Mr Jaradat died of a heart attack on Saturday and denied that he had been beaten. It said 3,000 prisoners had taken part in the protest.

During a Thursday visit from a Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs lawyer Mr Jaradat said he had been subject to abuse and torture, minister Issa Qaraqe said.

Israeli human rights group B'Tselem also demanded an investigation.

Spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli said Shin Bet often holds detainees in isolation for extended periods of time, keeping them in cells that are lit around the clock and denying them access to lawyers.

Mr Jaradat was a 30-year-old father of two and worked at a petrol station. Relatives said his wife is pregnant with their third child.

He was arrested last Monday for throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers.

The death has spurred ongoing daily protests against Israeli administrative detention. Around 160 of the nearly 4,600 Palestinians in Israeli jails are being held without charge or trial.

Protesters have repeatedly clashed with Israeli police and settlers in recent days as they show their support for Samer Issawi, who has been refusing food since August.

Two protesters were shot with live ammunition after settlers encroached on Palestinian land on Saturday.

It appears that settlers fired on the protesters who came to challenge them.

Mr Issawi was admitted to hospital with three other hunger strikers on Friday.

The total number of prisoners on open-ended hunger strikes is now 11, the Palestinian Prisoners Club said.

Nearly 80 detainees have died in prison since 2000 due to torture, medical neglect and excessive use of force, according to researcher Abdul-Nasser Farawna.