After seven months in Israeli custody, Mohamed Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, was released without charge. He was accused of allowing Hamas militants to use the hospital as a command center during Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Israeli forces detained Abu Salmiya during a U.N. convoy operation in Gaza City but later the evidence fell short of supporting the claims made by the Israeli government regarding the hospital’s involvement with Hamas.
Upon his release, Abu Salmiya reported torture and denial of legal access during his time in custody. The controversy surrounding his arrest sparked anger among Israeli officials and public.
The tumultuous events at al-Shifa Hospital, where Abu Salmiya worked, had a significant impact on the hospital’s operations and infrastructure, causing disruptions in medical services and patient care.