Without Compensation: Palestinian media reported this morning (Tuesday) that Israel released approximately 40 Palestinian prisoners to the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing. Subsequently, footage of the released prisoners undergoing medical checks at the Khan Younis hospital appeared on social media.
It is worth noting that in July, it was reported that Israel released 50 detainees from Gaza, including the director of Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, who was arrested last November after attempting to flee from IDF forces. Abu Salmiya was involved in terrorist activities at the hospital he managed.
In a statement from the IDF spokesperson and the Shin Bet following his arrest, it was said: "The director of Shifa Hospital was arrested and transferred to Shin Bet interrogation after numerous testimonies revealed that the hospital under his direct management served as a Hamas terrorist organization headquarters. Hamas used many resources, including electricity, to maintain a tunnel system built beneath the hospital. Additionally, Hamas stored numerous weapons at and around the hospital."
"Furthermore, after the massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th, the organization used the hospital as a hideout for its operatives and even brought Israeli hostages taken on the day of the massacre to the hospital. A pathological report confirmed that the murder of Corporal Noa Marciano occurred within the hospital premises. Extensive terrorist activity by Hamas took place in the hospital under his management. A decision regarding his continued detention will be made based on the investigation findings and the director’s involvement in terrorist activities."
Following Abu Salmiya’s release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of a team to review and approve the identities of detainees whose investigations were completed prior to their release. The team will include representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the National Security Council. He also stated that "the release of the Shifa Hospital director is a serious error and a moral failure. This individual, under whose responsibility our hostages were killed and held, belongs in prison."
