RAMALLAH, April 22 (JMCC) - A Palestinian prisoner who died this week in an Israeli jail was tortured to death, said the Palestinian minister of prisoner's affairs Thursday.

Raed Abu Hamad, age 31, apparently died from a blunt force trauma to the spine, said minister Issa Qaraqa in a press conference.

Qaraqa distributed a copy of the official autopsy conducted on the body of Abu Hamad.

The report stated that Abu Hamad was in excellent health prior to his death. His body was free of bruises save a blow at the base of the spine.

The report found the cause of death resulted from torture, and what appeared to be a kick to the lower back.

The Palestinian Authority holds the Israeli prison service fully responsible for the killing of martyr Abu Hamad, said Qaraqa. He said the government would pursue legal means to hold Israeli authorities responsible for the death.

Israeli officials have stated that Abu Hamad committed suicide in prison.

More than 200 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli jails over the last 20 years. Qaraqa claimed that 90 percent of prisoners who died in custody were tortured to death.