Prime Minister orders investigation into the release of Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, as freed prisoners claim torture in Israeli jails

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, regarding the release of Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital. The inquiry, prompted by Netanyahu, aims to uncover the details behind what he called a “serious mistake” in releasing Abu Salmiya, who has garnered international attention with allegations of abuse of Gaza detainees in Israeli prisons.

Dr Abu Salmiya, along with 54 other prisoners, was released on Monday. He had been detained for seven months after the Israeli military besieged al-Shifa Hospital, accusing Hamas of using it as a base. Following their release, Abu Salmiya and other detainees reported daily abuse and torture during their imprisonment.

Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, has been heavily damaged by ongoing Israeli bombardment, raising concerns about the availability of medical care for the wounded and displaced populations in Gaza.

Reactions and Investigation

Anger erupted in Tel Aviv following news of Abu Salmiya’s release. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the move as “security negligence.” Under pressure from hardline coalition partners, including Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu claimed he was not informed of the planned release and directed Shin Bet to investigate.

“The release of the director of Shifa Hospital is a serious mistake and a moral failure. The place of this man, under whose responsibility our abductees were murdered and held, is in prison,” Netanyahu stated.

Former war cabinet member Benny Gantz also criticized the release, calling for the dismissal of those responsible and suggesting that some government offices should be closed to allocate space and budget for prisoners.

Shin Bet defended the release, stating that it was coordinated with the Israeli military to alleviate overcrowding in detention centres. The agency emphasized that it opposed the release of those involved in attacks on Israeli civilians and opted to release detainees considered a lesser threat.

Allegations of Torture

Abu Salmiya and other released detainees have described severe conditions and torture in Israeli prisons. “Several inmates died in interrogation centres and were deprived of food and medicine,” Abu Salmiya claimed, adding that physical and psychological abuse was common. His allegations were supported by other released prisoners, including Faraj al-Samouni, who described torture and beatings.

In addition to Abu Salmiya, other medical practitioners were detained during the conflict in Gaza. In May, Palestinian rights groups reported that a senior al-Shifa surgeon died in Israeli custody. The Israeli army stated it was unaware of the death. Bassam Miqdad, head of the orthopaedic unit at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, was also among those freed on Monday.

Hamas has denied using hospitals as shields and has called on international bodies to intervene. The group has urged the United Nations and other countries to stop the alleged mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and called on the International Committee of the Red Cross to reveal the fate of thousands of detainees.

Analysis

Political Perspective: The release of Dr. Abu Salmiya and other prisoners highlights internal political tensions within Israel. Netanyahu’s swift response to order an investigation reflects the pressure he faces from hardline coalition partners. The situation underscores the complexities of political decisions in conflict zones and the impact on both domestic and international perceptions.

Social Perspective: The allegations of torture and abuse brought forward by the released detainees draw attention to the human rights conditions in Israeli prisons. These claims have the potential to galvanize international human rights organizations and impact global opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The release also highlights the resilience of Palestinian families and communities in the face of ongoing conflict and displacement.

Racial Perspective: The treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons can be examined through the lens of racial and ethnic dynamics. Historical and ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians often exacerbate racial prejudices, affecting how detainees are treated and the broader societal response to their plight.

Gender Perspective: The conflict and subsequent detentions impact both men and women, though the experiences and roles may differ. Women in Gaza bear the brunt of managing households in war-torn conditions, dealing with the absence of detained family members, and seeking justice for abuses. Gender-sensitive approaches in reporting and addressing these issues are crucial.

Economic Perspective: The destruction of medical facilities like al-Shifa Hospital and the detainment of medical professionals strain Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system. The broader economic implications include the cost of rebuilding infrastructure and the loss of skilled labour, which can hamper long-term recovery and development efforts in the region.