On Monday, Israel released around 50 Palestinian prisoners, including the director of Gaza’s largest hospital, Mohammed Abu Selmia.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the prisoners were held in various Israeli facilities, including the overcrowded Sde Teiman military detention camp. The release aims to alleviate the space crisis at Sde Teiman.
Abu Selmia, head of Al Shifa Hospital, was detained in November 2023 during an Israeli raid on the hospital. He was seen in a video footage warmly welcomed in Gaza, describing the harsh conditions prisoners face, including “lack of food and water and physical humiliation.”
Israel May Release More Hostage
He urged the release of all Palestinian prisoners and condemned the detention conditions, citing the deaths of several medical staff members due to “torture and denial of basic medical care.”
Israel’s raids on Al Shifa hospital in November 2023 and April drew international criticism, with Israel claiming the hospital was a Hamas headquarters.
Abu Selmia’s release sparked outrage in Israel, with Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticizing the Shin Bet for approving the release and calling for the dismissal of the Shin Bet chief.
“The news this morning and the chaos in the government is a direct continuation of the recklessness and dysfunction of the Israeli government, which is causing damage to the security of Israel’s citizens,” Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused.
The Prime Minister’s office stated that the release followed an ongoing Supreme Court hearing on the harsh incarceration conditions, challenged by human rights groups.