Israel releases former Hamas MP

Israel released a former Palestinian MP who has been in “administrative detention” since last year.

Hassan Yousuf, a Palestinian parliament member, who has just been released from Israel’s Ofer Prison in Ramallah, was welcomed by family and friends.

Yousuf told Anadolu Agency that Israeli police have kept him jailed without any charges.

“Palestinian prisoners are in harsh condition, and stand alone against Israel,” said Yousuf.

The 63-year-old lawmaker, who was frequently taken by Israeli police, has been detained by Israel since Dec. 13, 2017.

Under Israel’s longstanding policy of administrative detention, suspects can be held indefinitely without trial or charge.

According to Palestinian figures, some 6,500 Palestinians, including some 430 in administrative detention, continue to languish in Israeli detention facilities.

This number also includes scores of women and hundreds of minors, the figures reveal.