Israel released 55 Palestinian prisoners on Monday, including the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, who claimed he was abused during his eight-month detention.
Mohammed Abu Salmiya, who was detained by Israeli forces while escorting hospital patients with United Nations support during Israel’s initial attack on al-Shifa in November, said he was detained without ever being charged and that the prisoners were only given a loaf of bread a day.
Salmiya also said that he and other prisoners faced “severe” and daily torture by Israeli medical staff.
“Many detainees are still left behind in very precarious health and psychological conditions,” he said at a press conference. according to Turkish state media outlet, Anadolu Agency.
Hamas used allegations of abuse to demand accountability from Israeli leaders for crimes of torture against Palestinians, according to a statement shared through the militant group’s media channels.
Israel attacked 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 in danger, but continued to argue that the hospital was used by Hamas. It released videos showing weapons hidden in the hospital and nearby tunnel systems, but the evidence did not fully support claims that the site 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 deforested areas after what Israel says is the return of insurgent activity.
The prisoners were released on Monday to make room because the prisons are reportedly full, according to Israeli media reports in a statement from the 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 around 1,200 and taking around 250 hostages, of whom around 120 are still detained.
The decision to release the prisoners sparked backlash in Israel from far-right leaders, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called the decision “security negligence.” while claiming The Shin Bet wants to improve conditions for prisoners or release them.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said the decision to release the prisoners was not approved by the government or the Cabinet.
“Whoever is behind this must be held accountable for a negligent decision detrimental to Israel’s security,” he said. posted on social platform.
Israel’s prison service claimed that the Israeli military and the Shin Bet made the decision to release the prisoners, according to a statement carried by Israeli media.
The non-profit organization Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a post in X who was worried about Salmiya’s life after her release.
“We are following with great concern the storm of reactions within the Israeli government regarding the release of Abu Salmiya and warn that the life of the director of Shifa hospital is in critical danger,” the group said.
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