Scores of Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons show signs of torture and starvation, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society following the recent group that was released on Saturday.
A total of 183 Palestinians were released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. They emerged wearing dirty grey prison uniforms, displaying signs of years of confinement.
Many of them appeared exhausted and weak as they walked from the bus to the European Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, before being welcomed by the crowd and reunited with their loved ones.
Upon their release, the prisoners showed physical evidence of the mistreatment they endured, including unprecedented levels of torture, starvation, deliberate medical neglect, and even cases of scabies. Some reported suffering severe beatings that continued for days before their release, leading to rib fractures.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society stated, “The Israeli authorities are engaging in organized terrorism against the released prisoners and their families, through severe beatings and threats of violence if any celebration or reception is held for them.”
A freed detainee shared, “For the last 15 months, we were subjected to brutal torture… The treatment we received was inhumane, worse than that of animals.”
The Red Cross staff denounced the handling of the released prisoners by the Israeli Prison Service, who were seen handcuffed with their hands above their heads and wearing bands that read, “The people of eternity does not forget.”
Hamas condemned the “abuse and torture” suffered by the Palestinian prisoners, stating that it highlights the harsh conditions in Israeli jails. The group emphasized that despite the challenges in Gaza, they provided proper healthcare to Israeli prisoners.
Sources reported that one Palestinian, Hussam Shahin, will require hospitalization after undergoing surgery without anesthesia while in detention.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, 33 Hamas captives in Gaza are set to be released in the first six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians serving lengthy sentences in Israeli prisons.
