Israel is negotiating to extend the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Hamas as it released the last group of Palestinian prisoners, totaling 641. This release followed Hamas handing back the remains of Israeli captives. Mohammad Abu Amsha, a released prisoner, described the dire conditions in detention, highlighting lack of food and medical treatment. Despite a pause in bombardment, incidents of violence persisted, with reported Palestinian casualties. Humanitarian aid to Gaza remains insufficient, raising concerns as the initial phase of the ceasefire nears expiration.
Released Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Abu Amsha, who arrived in Gaza's Khan Younis on Thursday, said he faced horrific conditions while in detention and that he received only one meal each day, which was very bad. They used to beat and humiliate us. Sick people got no medical treatment. There were a lot of skin diseases in prisons and we did not get to change the clothes since the first day of our detention, Abu Amsha told Al Jazeera.
In the first phase of the ceasefire that took effect last month, Israel has released more than 2,000 prisoners and detainees in exchange for 25 living captives and the remains of eight others who had been held in Gaza.
The release of 641 prisoners on Thursday, including more than 450 who arrived in the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip, took place following yet another Israeli delay and after Hamas handed over the remains of four Israeli captives.
Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh, reporting from the Jordanian capital Amman, said Israel hasn't allowed enough humanitarian assistance in the form of tents, mobile homes, and the like. The initial phase is due to expire on Friday, and it is not clear whether talks have begun on a second phase that includes securing the.
Collection
[
|
...
]