PALESTINIAN resistance forces today demanded justice for slain parliamentary hopeful Nizar Banat, who they say was “assassinated” by the security services of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Thousands attended Mr Banat’s funeral prayers at Wasaya al-Rasool Mosque today.

The prominent critic of the PA was killed soon after he was taken into custody on Thursday where he was allegedly beaten and tortured.

“The autopsy showed injuries represented by bruises and abrasions in many areas of the body, including the head, neck, shoulders, chest, back, and upper and lower extremities, with binding marks on the wrists and rib fractures,” the PA’s Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) said.

Governor of Hebron Jibreen al-Bakri said that Mr Banat’s “health deteriorated during the arrest” which took place at his home in Dura in the West Bank district of Hebron.

But Lawyers for Justice spokesman Muhannad Karajah said that the PA security services were responsible for his demise.

“What happened with Nizar Banat is an assassination,” he said.

“By killing Nizar Banat, the [Palestinian] Authority confirms today that it is a repressive authority that threatens any human rights defender and every person is subjected to a process of political arrest.” 

Security forces attacked hundreds of protesters with tear gas and batons in Ramallah on Thursday as they demanded the resignation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Many Palestinians are still angry over the scrapping of the presidential and parliamentary elections initially planned for July 31, the first polls for 15 years.

Mr Abbas pinned the blame on Israel, but critics said that he postponed the elections with Hamas expected to do well, which would damage relations with US President Joe Biden.

Hamas were joined by lslamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in demanding justice for Mr Banat and criticising the 1993 Oslo Accords signed between the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Israel.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoners Network urged “Palestinians, Arabs and internationalists to protest and organise to demand justice, accountability and the liberation of Palestine.”