Gaza Strip (QNN)- The director of Gaza’s Shifa Medical Complex, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, was released from Israeli detention on Monday morning, seven months after the Israeli military raided the facility.
Speaking after his release, Abu Salmiya said the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is “tragic”.
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“Our detainees have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars,” he said. “There was almost daily torture. Cells are broken into, and prisoners are beaten.”
He said guards broke his finger and caused his head to bleed during beatings, in which they used batons and dogs.
“What the prisoners are going through is something the Palestinian people have not gone through from the Nakba until today,” he said.
He added that prisoners are not getting enough food or water and are facing “bodily humiliation.”
“We will rebuild Gaza from zero, and we will return the Shifa Medical Complex, which we were arrested from, to the way it was and better, God permitting.”
He said the medical staff at different facilities where he was held had also taken part in the abuse “in violation of all laws.” He said some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care.
The release of the Shifa hospital director has sparked angry reactions in ‘Israel’ where many politicians are inciting against him.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on X that Abu Salmiya’s release was the result of “security negligence”.
According to Walla news, ministers expressed rage at his release in a WhatsApp group chat.
“Why is this man, in whose hospital hostages were murdered and a Hamas command centre operated, being released?” said Amichai Chikli, diaspora affairs minister.
Orit Strock, settlements minister, replied: “It is unthinkable to do such a thing without a cabinet meeting. I’m seriously asking, under what authority [was this done]?”
Benny Gantz, an opposition leader and a former war cabinet, said Abu Salmiya’s release was “a moral and ethical operational error” by the government.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the release came following a petition filed to the high court against the detention of prisoners at the notorious Sde Teiman detention facility.
He said he ordered an immediate investigation, adding that the identity of the released prisoners is “determined independently by the security officials based on their professional considerations”.
War Minister Yoav Gallant issued a similar statement distancing himself from the release.
“The procedure for incarcerating security prisoners and their release is under the Shin Bet and the Israel Prison Service, and is not subject to the approval of the defense minister,” his office said.
Abu Salmiya said he was surprised by the Israeli reactions.
He told reporters his release followed a formal legal process during which he was not found guilty of anything.
According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, he was released with other Palestinians on Monday due to overcrowding in Israeli detention facilities.
According to Haaretz, an Israeli security official said the decision to release him was based on recommendations from Shin Bet and Israeli intelligence, following a re-evaluation of information about him.
The Shin Bet issued a statement warning the national security ministry against releasing prisoners due to prison overcrowding, citing potential risks to national security, Haaretz reported.