The Israeli Shabak (security service) has accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir of being responsible for the release of Gaza prisoners, pointing out that there is a shortage of detention facilities which led to the decision to release the least dangerous detainees. Following the significant uproar caused by the release of Dr. Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Shifa Medical Hospital, who had been detained since November, the Israeli General Security Service issued a formal statement saying, "For about a year now, the Shabak has been warning in every forum about the shortage of prisons and the need to increase the number of detention places. This predicament leads to the cancellation of daily arrests of suspects and directly undermines security. Unfortunately, these appeals directed to all relevant parties, primarily the Ministry of National Security, have been in vain."
The Shabak's statement continued: "We opposed the release of Palestinian detainees from West Bank activists. Therefore, it was decided to release a number of prisoners from the Gaza Strip, who pose less risk." The statement concluded that "without an immediate solution, the cancellation of arrests will continue, as will the release of detainees."
The release of Abu Salmiya has sparked wide debates within the Israeli government, with Ben Gvir expressing his objection to the release of the Shifa Hospital director, attacking Defense Minister Yoav Galant and calling for him to be deterred from pursuing an independent policy.
