Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Israeli authorities on Monday released Sheikh Raed Salah after 17 months of detention over political activity in the 1948-occupied territories. Local sources said hundreds of Palestinians gathered in front of Megiddo prison this morning to celebrate the release of the political leader. Sheikh Salah had spent his jail time in solitary confinement. Israeli authorities had refused to announce the place of his release, which was a matter of concern for his family and supporters. The occupation state had arrested Sheikh Salah and accused him of "inciting resistance". His trials extended for three years before he was sentenced to 17 months in jail. Sheikh Salah was arrested several times before. He has spent most of his life in Israeli jails. Many Palestinians look up to him as the leader, who spearheaded a national campaign in the 1948-occupied territories to defend Al Aqsa mosque and expose Israel's plans to demolish it. In November 2015, the occupation state issued a decision outlawing the Islamic Movement, a political party that Sheikh Salah led.