Palestinians protest after death in Israeli jail

JERUSALEM - The Associated Press

Israel says hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are protesting following the news of a fellow inmate's death of cancer.
 
Palestinian officials accuse Israel of not providing adequate medical care for 64-year-old Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh. He was serving a life sentence for attempted murder.
 
Israel says the man died Tuesday at a hospital and that he was treated well.
 
Prisons Authority spokeswoman Sivan Weizman says the prison service had petitioned for the man's early release but the appeal was still pending when he died.
 
She says "disturbances" are under way in several jail blocks. Prisoners are banging on cell doors and throwing objects. Prison forces are about to enter the blocs.
 
Tensions are high in Israeli lockups where thousands of Palestinian security prisoners are being held. Some have held hunger strikes.