Hamas accuses Israel of ‘slow killing’ of Palestinian prisoners
As we previously reported, seven Palestinians who were released earlier today from Israeli prisons have been admitted to hospital.
Hamas has now issued a statement accusing Israel of adopting a policy that it described as the “slow killing” of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
“The fact that seven prisoners were transferred to hospitals immediately after their release … reflects the systematic assaults and mistreatment of our prisoners by the Israeli prison authorities,” it said.
The Palestinian group added adding that it was “part of the policy of the extremist Israeli government”.
‘It was like we were in Guantanamo Bay prison’
Emotional scenes are taking place outside the European Hospital in Gaza’s southern Khan Younis as dozens of prisoners exited buses after being released by Israel.
Hussein Alhaj Hassan, a healthcare worker taken by Israeli forces, had a tearful reunion with his mother after spending a year in incarceration. He pulled up his pant legs to reveal large scars he said were the result of beatings while in custody.
“They took me along with dozens of people. My problem was I worked for the Ministry of Health. It’s been a year and one day – beatings, torture, and struggle in Ofer Prison,” Alhaj Hassan told Al Jazeera.
“They blindfolded us and beat us – my hands – during interrogation. No medical treatment, no winter clothing. It was very harsh treatment. It was like we were in Guantanamo Bay prison.”
His mother described it as “the best feeling” to have her son returned to her. “I hope all the remaining prisoners will be released as well,” she said. “This is the most beautiful of days to see him alive. We didn’t know anything about his whereabouts.”
Alhaj Hassan said Israeli authorities warned those released not to celebrate their freedom or talk to the media.
“We are supporting Gaza and supporting the resistance. Our lives are just a small price to pay for Gaza,” he said.
‘There was starvation and we were beaten all the time’: Palestinian ex-prisoner
Yasser Abu Azzoum says it is hard to describe his emotions after being released from an Israeli prison today.
“We were informed two days ago about our release and since that time I have not slept a moment, thinking all the time about family members – whether they are still alive or dead,” he told Al Jazeera outside the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, via a translator.
“I have not seen my son Mohammed in 14 months. He is still in prison. I hope he is well,” Abu Azzoum said, before describing the harsh conditions he was subjected to during his imprisonment.
“No food. There was starvation and we were beaten all the time,” he said.
“When I was taken, I was 120kg. Now I am 80kg,” he added.
Former Palestinian prisoner likens Israeli jails to ‘inhumane entities’
Hadeel Shatara, a former Palestinian prisoner released in the first prisoner exchange on January 20, says Palestinian prisoners are mistreated and brutalised in Israeli jails.
“They turned these prisons into big brutal inhumane entities,” Shatara, who was in a Haifa prison for seven months, told Al Jazeera.
“We were really mistreated. All the other prisoners released in the next exchange shared similar experiences. We women prisoners were dragged by our hair.”
She added the “brutality” faced by her and Palestinian prisoners left them uncertain about their fate, until they were reunited with their families.
Shatara said she hopes the ceasefire continues and that Gaza is rebuilt. “We want people in Gaza to live in peace and for the whole world to stand with Gaza.”
Essay Pro