Over 150 Palestinian detainees have been released by Israeli authorities on Monday who had been arrested in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
Reportedly, the detainees were taken to Kerem Shalom, a crossing at the border of Egypt, Israel, and Gaza, then moved on to Rafah in southern Gaza. This information came from a reporter with Arab News stationed in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
One of the detainees released is Sufian Abu Salah. He shared with local journalists that when he was arrested, he was in good health, able to walk on both legs. However, due to torture and neglect during detention, his left leg had to be amputated.
A video circulated on social media showing Abu Salah using a wooden stick as a crutch, hopping on one leg.
Abu Salah recounted that while in custody, his foot got infected, but Israeli soldiers refused to take him to a hospital. Within a week, the infection worsened, leading to the amputation of his leg.
An internal UN report from last month, compiled by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, detailed widespread abuses suffered by Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
The report described various forms of abuse, including physical beatings, prolonged stress positions, threats to detainees and their families, attacks by dogs, degradation and humiliation tactics, deprivation of basic necessities like water, food, and sleep, as well as denial of religious rights. These abuses often resulted in severe injuries.
Among those released on Monday were a child and a doctor.
According to UN data, Israeli authorities have arrested over 4,000 Palestinians, including women and children, since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza on October 7. This campaign was prompted by a surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel.
