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01-12-2023
Thirty Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails in seventh exchange of Israel-Hamas truce after more Israeli captives released in Gaza.
International mediators, including Qatar, Egypt and the US, are pushing for another extension of the pause in fighting.
Top US diplomat Blinken says Israel plans to resume Gaza offensive, urges greater protection of civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
More than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll stands at about 1,200.
Abu Youssef Abu Maria, one of the released Palestinian prisoners, told Al Jazeera that conditions in Israeli prisons deteriorated when the war in Gaza began.
He said Israeli authorities stormed the prisoners’ cells every day and beat them. He also said the prisoners did not get enough food.
“I was in Ofer Prison,” said Abu Maria, who added that he suffered an injury in prison but did not receive medical care.
Asked about the release deal, he said: “It’s an incredible (feeling of) happiness (to be released), but we are very sad about the ones who stayed behind.”
Media reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said Israel’s ultra-nationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has strictly enforced a policy of preventing celebrations by the families of Palestinians freed from Israeli jails under the Gaza truce deal.
“While families do want to celebrate their release, a lot of them are afraid, saying the Israelis have threatened them,” Salhut said.
Freed prisoners are also subject to strict limitations after their release.
“There are a lot of limitations as to what they can and cannot do. They cannot be involved in any political activity. They cannot have political posts on social media. They cannot go to any protests. A lot of them are still living in fear because of these heavy restrictions placed on them by the Israeli security apparatus. They fear they are going to be arrested again,” Salhut said.
The contrast with huge celebrations in Israel around the release of Israeli captives from Gaza could not be starker, Salhut added.
“The Israelis not limiting any celebrations there but when it comes to the Palestinians … (Israel) says that given the nature of this deal, given the nature of who they are releasing, that it does not warrant any celebrations.” (Int’l News Desk)
