Israel released 55 Palestinian prisoners Monday, including the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital who alleged that he was abused during his eight-month detention.
Mohammed Abu Salmiya, who was detained by Israeli forces while escorting patients with the backing of the United Nations from the hospital during Israel’s initial raid of al-Shifa in November, said he was held without ever being charged and that prisoners were only given one loaf of bread a day.
Salmiya also said he and other prisoners faced “severe” and daily torture by Israeli medical staff.
“Many detainees are still left behind in very poor health and psychological conditions,” he said in a press conference, according to Turkish state-run media outlet Anadolu Agency.
Hamas used the claims of abuse to call for accountability against Israeli leaders for crimes of torture against the Palestinians, according to a statement shared by the militant group’s media channels.
Israel raided al-Shifa in Gaza City in November after accusing Palestinian militant group Hamas of using the hospital as a military base.
Israel was largely criticized for the operation that endangered patients but continued to argue the hospital was used by Hamas. It released videos that showed stashed weapons at the hospital and nearby tunnel systems, but the evidence did not fully support claims it had been used as a military base.
Israeli forces returned to al-Shifa in March to take out more Hamas fighters, part of an effort to return to previously cleared areas after what Israel claims is returning insurgent activity.
The prisoners were released Monday to make room because the jails are reportedly full, according to Israeli media reports on a statement from 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 Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 and taking roughly 250 hostages, about 120 of whom are still being held.
The decision to release the prisoners prompted backlash in Israel from far-right leaders, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called it “security negligence,” while claiming Shin Bet wants to improve the conditions of prisoners or release them.
Israel’s minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, said the decision to release the prisoners did not pass the government or Cabinet.
“Whoever is behind it should be held accountable for a negligent and harmful decision to Israel’s security,” he posted on the social platform X.
Israel’s prison service claimed the Israeli military and Shin Bet made the decision to release the prisoners, according to a statement shared by Israeli media.
The nonprofit Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a post on X that it was concerned for Salmiya’s life after his release.
“We’re following with great concern the storm of backlash in Israel’s government towards the release of Abu Salmiya & we warn that the life of the Shifa hospital director is in critical danger,” the group said.
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