Amman, Feb. 1 (Petra) – The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has stated that the deteriorating health of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of a prisoner exchange deal, under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, highlights the severe conditions they endured during their detention. These conditions included torture, mistreatment, and degrading violations that continued up until their release.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the monitor explained that it has been following the releases of prisoners over four batches, the latest of which occurred today. It noted that many of the released individuals exhibited signs of severe health deterioration, including significant weight loss, likely caused by deliberate starvation.

The monitor’s field team also documented instances where Israeli forces forced many detainees to shave their heads in a humiliating and deliberate act aimed at degrading and breaking their morale. Additionally, detainees were made to wear prison uniforms and subjected to physical violence both before and during their transportation in buses.

Furthermore, Israeli forces released all prisoners under very harsh conditions, which included attacks on the gatherings of their families who were present to receive them. The authorities used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds, resulting in injuries to some individuals. Moreover, Israeli forces raided the homes and locations designated for the reception and celebration of the freed prisoners.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on all concerned nations and organizations to initiate an immediate and independent investigation into these grave crimes and violations. The group urged legal actions to hold Israeli officials accountable for their involvement in these offenses.

//Petra// AF
01/02/2025 22:34:34