Dozens of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas are showing signs of severe torture, starvation, and physical abuse, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. On Saturday, 183 Palestinians were released, marking a significant phase in the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
The prisoners, mostly wore grey-stained jumpsuits and looked frail, were welcomed by thunderous cheering crowds as they received transfers at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. However, what the released prisoners revealed about their treatment during detention was a grim testimony. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reported that detainees had faced “unprecedented levels of torture” with severely debilitating beatings, starvation, and medical neglect. Many of the released prisoners were also suffering from scabies, rib fractures, and long-term physical and psychological trauma.
Testimonies from some freed people told how they were tortured. “For the last 15 months, we were put through the most brutish torture… the Israelis treated us in inhuman manners. They treated animals better than us.” Red Cross officials and independent bodies have expressed indignation at the Israeli Prison Service over the treatment of the prisoners. There are accounts of how the prisoners left the prison handcuffed with their hands above their heads.
Hamas condemned the way Israel treated Palestinian captives. It claimed such treatment is far from what its officials have provided to Israeli captives, who Hamas said have received proper medical treatments despite the continuing Gaza conflict. In this deal, 33 Palestinian captives are set to be freed in the coming weeks in exchange for Israeli captives held by Hamas.
