Nine Palestinian detainees arrived in the Gaza Strip earlier today, following their release by Israeli authorities. The individuals were transferred to a hospital in central Gaza. This development occurs amidst ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities.
According to a statement, the released detainees were transported to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC facilitated their safe passage through the Kerem Shalom crossing, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Upon arrival at the hospital, the detainees were reunited with their families.
While the ICRC statement did not detail the health conditions of the released individuals, previous reports from former detainees have raised serious concerns about the well-being of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Allegations of malnutrition and injuries resulting from severe physical abuse within these facilities have been consistently reported. These claims paint a grim picture of the conditions faced by Palestinian detainees.
The ICRC has expressed its inability to access detainees held in Israeli detention centers since October 2023. The organization emphasized the urgent need to be informed about the fate and whereabouts of all detainees and to be granted access to them.
The ICRC underscored that international humanitarian law mandates the humane treatment of detainees, including the provision of acceptable detention conditions and the ability to communicate with their families. The organization affirmed its continued dialogue with Israeli authorities to resume visits to all Palestinian detainees.
This release follows a series of intermittent releases of detainees from Gaza, who have been held for months in Israeli prisons. These facilities are reportedly lacking in basic humanitarian standards, and detainees are allegedly subjected to torture, according to documented testimonies. The situation remains a point of significant international concern, with human rights organizations calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. The release comes shortly after Israel announced the recovery of the body of a deceased prisoner in Gaza.
It is estimated that over 10,000 Palestinians, including children and women, remain in Israeli prisons.
