Israel released the director of Gaza’s main hospital on Monday, seven months after the military raided the facility over allegations it was being used as a Hamas command center. The release of Mohammed Abu Selmia without charge or trial raised further questions about Israel’s allegations regarding Shifa Hospital, which its forces have raided on two occasions since the start of its nearly nine-month war with Hamas. Abu Selmia said he and other prisoners had been tortured and held under harsh conditions, allegations that could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinian detainees who have been released back into Gaza.
Quick Read
- Israel released Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Gaza’s main hospital, seven months after raiding the facility over allegations it was used as a Hamas command center.
- Abu Selmia alleged that he and other prisoners were tortured and held under harsh conditions during his detention, claiming daily beatings and poor medical care that led to serious injuries, including broken limbs.
- His release without charge or trial raises questions about Israel’s allegations regarding Shifa Hospital, which has been raided twice since the start of the nearly nine-month conflict with Hamas.
- Israeli officials have not commented on the reasons for Abu Selmia’s release or his allegations of mistreatment, though prison authorities have previously denied such accusations.
- Two far-right ministers in Israel’s government condemned the release, stating it was done without their consent.
- Israel’s military had alleged that Hamas created a command center inside Shifa Hospital, but the evidence found during raids fell short of these claims.
- Abu Selmia’s detention was described by him as politically motivated, and he stated that he was never charged or allowed to meet with lawyers.
- The conflict, which began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, has resulted in over 37,800 Palestinian deaths, with most of Gaza’s population displaced and facing severe humanitarian challenges.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel releases director of Shifa hospital after 7 months without charge or trial. He alleges abuse in custody
Newslooks- KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) —
Israel released the director of Gaza’s main hospital on Monday, seven months after the military raided the facility over allegations it was being used as a Hamas command center. The release of Mohammed Abu Selmia without charge or trial raised further questions about Israel’s allegations regarding Shifa Hospital, which its forces have raided on two occasions since the start of its nearly nine-month war with Hamas.
Abu Selmia said he and other prisoners had been tortured and held under harsh conditions, allegations that could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinian detainees who have been released back into Gaza.
“Our detainees have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars,” he said. “There was almost daily torture. Cells are broken into and prisoners are beaten.” He said guards broke his finger and caused his head to bleed during beatings, in which they used batons and dogs.
He said the medical staff at different facilities where he was held had also taken part in the abuse “in violation of all laws.” He said some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care.
Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about why he had been released or his allegations of mistreatment. Prison authorities have previously denied such mistreating detainees.
Two far-right ministers in Israel’s government meanwhile condemned Abu Selmia’s release, saying it had been carried out without their consent.
Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital in November, alleging that Hamas had created an elaborate command and control center inside the facility. Abu Selmia and other staff denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering thousands of patients and displaced people who were sheltering there.
The military uncovered a tunnel beneath Shifa Hospital leading to a few rooms, as well as other evidence that militants had been present inside the medical center, but the evidence fell short of what it had claimed before the raid.
Abu Selmia was detained on Nov. 22 while escorting a U.N.-led evacuation of patients from the hospital. He said his detention was “politically motivated,” adding that he had been brought to court at least three times but was never charged or allowed to meet with lawyers.
Israel has since raided several other Gaza hospitals on similar allegations, forcing them to shut down or dramatically reduce services even as tens of thousands have been wounded in Israeli strikes or sickened in the harsh conditions of the war. The army raided Shifa a second time earlier this year, causing heavy destruction after saying that militants had regrouped there.
Hospitals can lose their protection under international law if combatants use them for military purposes.
Israel launched its offensive after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 civilians and took another 250 hostage. The war has killed over 37,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or fighters.
Most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times. Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, fueling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine.
