Israel releases 10 Gazan detainees amid reports of torture, starvation in Israeli detention
Another Palestinian youth died Tuesday from severe malnutrition caused by Israel’s months-long blockade of the Gaza Strip, a medical source said.
Wissam Abu Mohsen, 30, weighed just 50 kilograms (110 pounds) at the time of his death and had long suffered from health problems caused by malnutrition, leading to a significant deterioration in his condition, the source at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis told Anadolu. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said early Tuesday that hunger-related deaths since October 2023 have risen to 227, including 103 children, after five more people died in the last 24 hours.
Israel has kept Gaza’s crossings shut since March 2, blocking nearly all humanitarian aid and pushing the territory into famine, despite hundreds of aid trucks stranded at its borders. Limited deliveries permitted have fallen far short of the needs of the starving population.
Separately, the Israeli army released 10 Palestinian detainees, who arrived by vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah for medical examinations, another medical source said.
Local sources said the detainees were freed through the Kissufim crossing, southeast of Deir al-Balah.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the detainees told reporters they had been subjected to torture and starvation in Israeli detention.
From time to time, Israel releases Palestinians it has detained during its ongoing war on Gaza. According to rights groups, most of those released suffered serious health problems due to torture, deliberate medical neglect, and malnutrition caused by starvation.
Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its genocidal war on Gaza, where it has killed nearly 61,600 victims since October 2023.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
