Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners, Including Gaza Hospital Chief

Israel released the chief of Gaza’s biggest hospital, who had been jailed for more than seven months, while dozens of Palestinian prisoners returned to the beleaguered enclave on Monday for treatment.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed his release on social media. He tweeted, “The release of the director of the Shifa hospital in Gaza along with dozens of other terrorists is security negligence. The time has come for the Prime Minister to stop Gallant and the head of the Shin Bet from conducting an independent policy contrary to the position of the Cabinet and the Government”, through his official ‘X’ handle.

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al Shifa was detained in November 2023.

Since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to Hamas’s October 7 strike on southern Israel, the hospital where he worked has been reduced to rubble through several raids.

Salmiya and the other liberated captives returned to Gaza from Israel just east of Khan Yunis.

Israel has accused Hamas of using Gaza hospitals to conceal military operations and infrastructure. Hamas denies the allegations.

The war began with Hamas’s October 7 strike which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people.

Israel’s retaliatory operation has killed at least 37,877 individuals, the majority of them were civilians.

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