Israeli army sets Gaza's Al-Shifa director free after 7-month detention

2024-07-01 09:21:03

(MENAFN) On Monday, the Israeli army released Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, after more than seven months of detention following a military operation at the hospital last November. Abu Salmiya was among 50 Palestinians released and transported to hospitals in Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis in central and southern Gaza, as reported by Anadolu.

Dr. Abu Salmiya had been arrested on November 23 while traveling through Salah al-Din Street from Gaza City to southern areas of the Strip after Israeli military actions targeted Al-Shifa Hospital. Speaking to Anadolu following his release, he described the conditions in Israeli detention as tragic and unprecedented in Palestinian history, highlighting severe food shortages and physical mistreatment.

He emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to release all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, noting the unparalleled hardships faced by detainees since the Nakba. Dr. Abu Salmiya also expressed concern over the treatment of medical staff in Israeli prisons, citing instances of torture and inadequate medical care that have resulted in deaths among detainees.

In response to the releases, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the move, labeling it as security negligence and calling for a halt to what he described as independent policies by Israeli security officials. According to Israeli daily Maariv, the releases were attributed to prison overcrowding.

The release of Dr. Abu Salmiya and other Palestinian detainees marks a significant development amid ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region, underscoring the complex dynamics surrounding Palestinian-Israeli relations and the treatment of prisoners.

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