The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported today, Monday, that Israel has released 54 prisoners from Gaza due to overcrowding in its prisons. Among those released is Dr. Muhammad Abu Suliema, the director of Shifa Hospital, who was arrested by Israeli forces following their takeover of the Shifa Medical Complex. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that Abu Suliema was detained during the evacuation of the wounded and medical staff from the medical complex, which was under siege and stormed by the Israeli army at that time.
After his release, Abu Suliema stated, "The conditions in prisons are tragic and extremely difficult, and there should be a strong word from the resistance and the Arab people for the freedom of prisoners." Released detainee Faraj Samouni also expressed that the detainees in occupation prisons, especially from Gaza, suffer from unbearable conditions and circumstances, according to the Palestinian news agency "Wafa." He noted that Israeli forces had arrested him from his home in the Al-Qarara area east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and he was transported to the "Sde Teiman" detention center, where he was placed in a tent with 30 other detainees.
He emphasized that detainees face continuous torture, abuse, and various forms of assaults around the clock, as well as being subjected to prolonged isolation, along with widespread diseases such as smallpox, scabies, and other infectious diseases. Netanyahu's office clarified that the decision to release the prisoners came after discussions in the Supreme Court regarding a petition against holding prisoners in Sde Yemen prison. The Israeli Prime Minister's office indicated that the identity of the released prisoners was determined by security agencies.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi considered that "Israel needs new security leadership after the release of the director of Shifa Hospital, and the release of detainees from Gaza due to lack of space in prisons is a pathetic excuse." Furthermore, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prevent Defense Minister Gallant and the head of the Shin Bet from following policies that contradict government policy.
Earlier, Itamar Ben Gvir had called for the execution of detainees in Israeli prisons by shooting them in the head. In a video clip, Ben Gvir stated that Palestinian detainees "should be killed with a bullet to the head." He called for passing the law concerning the execution of detainees in the Knesset in its third reading, pledging to provide minimal food to keep them alive until the law is enacted.
