Israel released 55 Palestinian prisoners on Monday, including the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital. He alleged that he had been abused during his eight-month captivity.
Mohammed Abu Salmiya, who was held by Israeli forces while escorting patients from hospital with United Nations support during Israel’s first attack on al-Shifa in November, said he was held without ever being charged and that prisoners were only got one loaf of bread. bread per day.
Salmiya also said that he and other prisoners faced “severe” torture at the hands of Israeli medical staff on a daily basis.
“Many prisoners are still left in very poor health and psychological conditions,” he said at a news conference, according to The Turkish state media Anadolu Agency.
Hamas used the abuse allegations to hold Israeli leaders accountable for the torture they committed against Palestinians, according to a statement shared by the militant group’s media outlets.
Israel raided Al-Shifa in Gaza City in November after accusing the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using the hospital as a military base.
Israel was widely criticized for the operation that put patients at risk, but continued to claim that the hospital was being used by Hamas. It published videos showing hidden weapons in the hospital and nearby tunnel systems, but the evidence did not fully support the claim that it had been used as a military base.
Israeli forces returned to Al-Shifa in March to eliminate more Hamas fighters, part of an effort to return to previously vacated areas after what Israel claims is recurring insurgent activity.
The prisoners were released on Monday to make room as the prisons are reportedly full, Israeli media said, following a statement from Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.
Israel has arrested thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank since Hamas invaded southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, of whom some 120 remain in custody.
The decision to release the prisoners sparked a backlash in Israel from far-right leaders, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called it “security negligence.” while he claims Shin Bet wants to improve the conditions of prisoners or release them.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said the decision to release the prisoners was not adopted by the government or the cabinet.
“Whoever is behind this must be held accountable for a negligent and harmful decision for Israel’s security,” he said posted on the social platform X.
The Israeli Prison Service claimed that the Israeli army and Shin Bet had made the decision to release the prisoners, according to a statement shared by Israeli media.
The non-profit organization Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a message on X that people were concerned about Salmiya’s life after his release.
“We are following with great concern the storm of backlash within the Israeli government to the release of Abu Salmiya and we warn that the life of the director of Shifa Hospital is in grave danger,” the group said.
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