Human Rights

Massive Celebrations for Liberated Prisoners

  Palestinians are throwing huge parties to celebrate the release of some prisoners. This is all part of a deal between Israel and Hamas, a group fighting for Palestinian rights. The deal included 6 of the oldest female prisoners and 33 children.

The prisoners arrived in different groups to different cities in the West Bank and Jerusalem. People carried them on their shoulders and waved Palestinian flags. They chanted and cheered for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian resistance. Even though the Israeli forces tried to stop the celebrations, the Palestinians didn't let that ruin their fun!

Stories from Inside the Prisons

As more prisoners are released, we are hearing stories about what it was like inside the prisons. Maysoon al-Jabali, the oldest prisoner, said that the guards treated them very badly. Some of the female prisoners were even beaten, and many of them got sick.

Israa Jaabis, another freed prisoner, said that the Palestinian girls went through terrible things in the prisons. It's really sad to hear that they were treated so badly.

Shorouk Dwayyat, who was also released, said that the female prisoners had a really tough time. They were oppressed, starved, and thirsty. The prisons were also very crowded. Shorouk is worried about the other female prisoners who are still there, especially the ones who are under 18 years old. The youngest one she saw was only 12 years old!

Children in Prison

One of the freed prisoners, Omar Shweiki, said that they didn't even have time to exercise while they were in prison for 50 days. Can you imagine that? Omar also mentioned that there are many children in the prisons who are between 13 and 15 years old. He was only 15 when he was arrested by the Israeli authorities.

A Complete Crime

The head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Authority, Qaddoura Fares, said that what has been happening in the prisons is not just abuse, but a complete crime. It's really sad to hear that the prisoners have been treated so poorly.

Before the second batch of prisoners was released, the Israeli forces tried to stop the press and medical crews from being there. They even attacked some journalists and forced them to leave. 

Source: Al Jazeera