Source Credit: AL JAZEERA
Jerusalem: Hundreds of Palestinians who were released from Israeli detention under a ceasefire agreement showed clear signs of severe malnutrition, abuse, and even torture.
After the release procedure which took place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Gaza, the released prisoners were taken to European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and some were sent to Egypt and the occupied West Bank.
As per the statement of a released prisoner, Alaa al-Bayari, the reporters gather eyewitness accounts and official data that show the harsh treatment and severe malnutrition suffered by Palestinian prisoners.
As part of the first phase of a prisoner swap after 15 months of fighting following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel was set to release over 600 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas returned coffins containing the bodies of four Israeli hostages. However, Israel has delayed the release of two Palestinian women and 44 children.
This swap is part of a larger ceasefire that began on January 19, 2025, after 15 months of conflict. Earlier, Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages named by President Isaac Herzog. Reports of harsh treatment in detention have angered released Palestinian prisoners and their families. Palestinian groups remain committed to the ceasefire and are calling for immediate talks to begin the second phase, while urging the international community to address what they see as unfair treatment of Palestinian detainees compared to Israeli captives.
