Gantz condemns release of al-Shifa’s Abu Salmiya from Israeli detention
Benny Gantz, former member of Israel’s war cabinet, has condemned the release of al-Shifa Hospital Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya from detention, calling for the dismissal of “whoever made the decision”.
He also called on Netanyahu to “close some government offices to free up space and budget for prisoners”, referring to the reports that 55 prisoners, including Salmiya, were freed because Israel’s prisons were full.
Netanyahu orders inquiry into al-Shifa Hospital chief’s release
The Israeli PM has ordered an immediate inquiry into the release of Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, including the director of al-Shifa Hospital Muhammad Abu Salmiya, according to his office.
The release, which prompted condemnation from various Israeli political figures, came in the wake of discussions conducted by the Supreme Court on a petition submitted against their detention in the Sade Teman camp of the Negev, Netanyahu’s office said.
It was not clear who filed the petition.
The office said, “The identity of the released prisoners is determined independently by security officials based on their professional considerations.”
Lack of space not behind al-Shifa Hospital chief’s release: Israel Prison Service
Contradicting earlier Israeli media reports, the state agency responsible for overseeing prisons in Israel says the lack of space in Israeli prisons isn’t the reason behind the release of Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya.
The Israeli army and Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, made the decision to free him along with dozens of other Palestinian detainees, Israel Prison Service was quoted as saying by Israel’s Army Radio.
Yair Lapid slams government ‘chaos’ over release of Dr Abu Salmiya
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised the government over the release of the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital.
“This morning’s news and the chaos in the government over the release of the director of al-Shifa Hospital is a direct continuation of the lawlessness and dysfunction of the Israeli government that damages the security of Israel’s citizens,” Lapid said on X.
“The defence minister [says he] did not know, the national security minister [says he] was not involved – [an] exchange of accusations. Everything is leaked. This is what moral and functional disintegration looks like.”
The Israeli media reported earlier Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya was released along with dozens of other Palestinians because Israeli prisons were full.
Dr Mohammad Abu Salmiya, third right, speaks to the media on Monday
