The Israeli military (IDF) yesterday released more than 50 detainees who had been interrogated and confirmed not to be involved in terrorist activities, including Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of the Khaffa Hospital, who was arrested in November last year, sparking outrage from the government and the public, with critics believing that the Khaffa hospital harbored members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the release of Abu Salmiya was a serious mistake and that the government would thoroughly investigate the incident.
After Abu Salmiya regained his freedom, he was heroically welcomed by the people of Gaza.
The Israeli military regularly releases detainees who have been checked for no involvement in terrorist activities, including 55 people on Monday, including Abu Salmiya. After Abu Salmiya regained his freedom, he was heroically welcomed by the people of Gaza.
Fahi Hospital, located in Gaza City, is alleged to be the center of Hamas's behind-the-scenes operations, and Abu Salmia was detained and questioned by the Ministry of National Security (Simbet) last November as he attempted to leave Gaza through a humanitarian corridor.
The procedure for the imprisonment and release of political prisoners is the responsibility of the Simbert and Israel Prison Administration, without the approval of the Minister of Defense.
The hospital was hit by heavy Israeli air strikes. Reuter
The release of Abu Salmia has caused shocks in the Israeli government and the public. Former Israeli Defense Minister Ganz, who had earlier withdrawn from the wartime cabinet, criticized the practice as extremely wrong, and the person in charge should be dismissed. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also blasted the Israeli government as "reckless and derelict in its duties" and a threat to national security.
A number of ministers and security officials in the Israeli government blamed each other, saying that the incident had nothing to do with them.
Netanyahu issued a statement saying that the release of Abu Salmiya was a grave mistake and that "our hostages were taken and killed, and this person should go to jail". But he reassured the top Simpet that the decision to release Abu Salmiya had been made without the knowledge of the head of the security agencies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuter
The statement said that Simbert would submit a report on the incident and that the government would investigate the incident thoroughly.