Palestinian Prisoner Society accuses Israel of ‘organized terrorism’ after Tel Aviv announces delay in prisoner release
(Reuters: Amir Cohen)
The Palestinian Prisoner Society has denounced Israel’s delay in releasing detainees in the seventh batch of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, calling it “organized terrorism and abuse of prisoners.”
In a statement, the group accused Israel of employing “every tool of humiliation, abuse, and torture” against the prisoners and their families, particularly amid harsh winter conditions.
The society highlighted that Israeli forces conducted raids across the West Bank, making arrests and issuing threats to families of prisoners slated for release.
It stated, “The occupation has not only committed crimes against the prisoners but has also engaged in organized terrorism against their families, through threats that border on arrest and murder, home raids, and acts of vandalism and destruction within their homes.” The group argued that these actions aim to “undermine the status of the Palestinian prisoner in the Palestinian collective consciousness.”
Israel postponed the release, citing Hamas’ delivery of an incorrect body instead of detained Israeli Shiri Bibas on Thursday. Under the seventh batch of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, 620 Palestinian prisoners were expected to be freed.
Recall that Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, handed over six Israeli captives on Saturday to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Rafah, Nuseirat, and Gaza City.
The ceasefire, which paused Israel’s military offensive, has provided temporary relief to Gaza, where over 48,300 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, and the enclave left in ruins.
