Palestinian prisoners released as part of a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal have recounted their traumatic experiences in Israeli jails, describing the conditions as inhumane and abusive.
On Sunday, buses carrying 90 freed Palestinians, mostly women and teenagers, left Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank to jubilant scenes. Emotional reunions unfolded as families cheered, waved flags, and embraced their loved ones.
“I left hell and now I’m in heaven,” said Abdelaziz Atawneh, a freed inmate, to Reuters. He detailed harrowing abuses, including physical violence, tear gas attacks in cells, and verbal insults. “There is no food, no sweets, no salt. There is nothing,” he added.
Eighteen-year-old Rose Khwais, another freed prisoner, likened the treatment to that of animals. “We leave the cells like chickens and then we were returned to our cells,” she said. Khwais also highlighted a lack of medical care, recounting severe health issues she faced without adequate treatment.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in phases over the coming weeks. This mass release marks a significant step in the fragile truce, but the testimonies of those freed shed light on the dire conditions faced by Palestinians in Israeli detention.
