Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip have announced the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners. The border crossing authority spokesperson confirmed that prisoners from various parts of the Gaza Strip were held by the Israeli occupation and mistreated. Some of the released prisoners required medical treatment at hospitals across the region, including in Rafah, located in southern Palestine.
During Israel’s six-month military operation in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians were arrested without charge and taken to Israeli prisons. The latest group was released through the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Israel. The Israeli military did not provide any comment on the matter, stating only that they prohibit prisoner mistreatment. Those not involved in terrorist activities would be released back to their homes in Gaza.
In recent months, there have been concerns raised about the conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, with reports of torture and abuse emerging from organizations like UNRWA. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini expressed his concern about the traumatic experiences faced by Palestinian detainees returning from Israeli prisons and called for an end to such abuses. Efforts have been made to ensure that Palestinian prisoners are treated according to international law standards, but ongoing human rights violations continue to persist in Israel’s occupied territories.
