The detainees endured ‘almost daily torture’, claims al-Shifa Hospital Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya.
Israel has released dozens of Palestinians detained during the Gaza war, including the director of al-Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salmiya. The country freed 55 prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in its jails. Abu Salmiya, upon his return to Gaza, spoke of the daily abuse faced by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
Reportedly, Israeli prisons have reached full capacity due to the influx of detainees since the war began on October 7. Abu Salmiya’s arrest came amidst Israeli claims of Hamas using al-Shifa Hospital as a base, although he was never formally charged. Speaking at a news conference, Abu Salmiya detailed the physical and psychological torture endured by detainees, including beatings, deprivation of food and medicine, and amputations due to neglect.
Health campaign
Abu Salmiya was among those arrested during an Israeli raid at al-Shifa Hospital, where casualties were buried in a mass grave. Israel has targeted over 100 health facilities during the nine-month war, according to the WHO.
‘Negligence’
Upon release, detainees received medical checkups, with criticism from Israeli politicians for the decision. Security Minister Ben-Gvir called it “security negligence,” while former war cabinet minister Gantz urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to make budget cuts elsewhere to accommodate prisoners.