Jerusalem, Israel – The Shin Bet and the IDF have recently released 50 Gaza detainees, including Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital. Abu Salmiya had been in administrative detention in Israel since November 23. It was reported that Hamas had been using Shifa Hospital as a base for terror activities and to conceal hostages, but no concrete evidence linking Abu Salmiya to these activities was publicly produced.
Following his detention, Abu Salmiya underwent questioning by Israeli authorities. While suspicions were raised regarding his knowledge of Hamas’s use of the hospital, without solid evidence, holding him in administrative detention for an extended period proved challenging. Despite having had three court hearings, including one quasi-public session in December 2023, Abu Salmiya’s status remained uncertain for months.
Sources indicated that Abu Salmiya had been subject to a criminal probe under emergency war regulations related to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Throughout this period, he was prevented from meeting with a lawyer, raising concerns about his legal rights. It was also noted that numerous Gaza residents had been detained by Israeli forces, with over 4,000 Gazans and 4,100 West Bank Palestinians reportedly in custody.
Upon his return to Gaza, Abu Salmiya highlighted the harsh conditions he faced in detention, emphasizing the importance of support from the resistance and the Arab community for the release of prisoners. There were also reports of Hamas terrorists using Shifa Hospital to conceal hostages, with one individual being tragically murdered in the vicinity. Despite subsequent invasions of the hospital by the IDF, Abu Salmiya was not charged in relation to these incidents.
Political tensions arose surrounding the release of Abu Salmiya and other Gazan detainees, with government officials and opposition members trading accusations. The process of periodic detainee releases, often conducted discreetly in the night, added to the controversy. Amidst the ongoing debate on administrative detention practices, both domestically and internationally, questions were raised regarding the accountability and decision-making processes within Israeli security agencies.