Foto:AA
Gaza, July 1, 2024 — This morning, the director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, was released from custody along with 54 other detainees who were suspected of having ties to terrorist organizations.
Arrest and Charges
Abu Salmiya was arrested on November 23, 2023, during a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). In a statement, the IDF and Shin Bet claimed that Shifa Hospital, under Abu Salmiya’s leadership, served as a headquarters for the Hamas terrorist organization. Weapons were stored in and around the hospital, resources were used to maintain a tunnel system, and Israeli hostages, kidnapped on October 7, 2023, were held there.
Abu Salmiya’s Statement After Release
Upon his release, Abu Salmiya accused Israeli authorities of mistreating detainees and called for resistance to achieve the release of all prisoners. He claimed that many detainees are suffering from hunger and need medical assistance. The director promised to restore and reopen Shifa Hospital.
Release of Detainees During Military Operation
This is not the first instance of group releases of detainees during the military operation in Gaza. The IDF spokesperson previously reported that since the beginning of the war, around 4,700 suspected terrorists were brought to the temporary detention center “Sde Teiman,” with about a thousand subsequently released and returned to Gaza.
Official Shin Bet Statement
In an official statement, Shin Bet noted that the decision to release detainees was made to clear detention spaces due to prison overcrowding. Shin Bet had warned about the dire conditions of detainees and the need to increase detention capacity for arrested terrorists both in Israel and Gaza. The statement also mentioned that the incident involving Abu Salmiya would be investigated despite his release.
Information from Time Ukraine Israel
Time Ukraine Israel reports on this, citing information from Newsru.co.il.
Stay tuned for further updates.
