After Spending 40 Years in Israeli Jails….Maher Younis Dies
CrossFireArabia- July 5, 2026
He had served 40 years in Israel prisons. Maher Abdel Latif Younis died early Sunday morning following a severe health crisis, nearly three years after his release. His funeral took place after noon prayers at the Al-Dhahrat Mosque in the village of Ar’ara in occupied Palestine.
Younis was released on 19 January, 2023, after spending four consecutive decades in Israeli prisons. He was arrested on 18 January, 1983, at the age of 25, for his resistance to the occupation and his membership of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Fatah.
After his arrest, he was harshly interrogated, and the Israeli court initially sentenced him to death. However, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment about a month later and then further reduced to 40 years in 2012 according to Quds Press.
Whilst in prison Younis lost his father in 2008 who was himself a former prisoner and spent eight years in Israeli jails. During his incarceration, Younis also managed to earn a BA degree in Political Science.
Maher Younis was born on 6 January, 1958, in the village of Ar’ara, within the 1948 borders. He leaves five sisters and one brother. He received his primary and secondary education in his village and then continued his studies at the industrial school in Hadera.
