Title: Palestinian Teenage Brothers Released After 17 Months in Israeli Prison Amid Concerns for Others
Two Palestinian teenage brothers, Nasrallah and Qassam Al-Awar, have been released from Israeli prison after enduring 17 months of imprisonment. The announcement came as part of a humanitarian pause agreement between Israel and Hamas, with a total of 210 Palestinian prisoners and detainees released thus far.
During their detention, the brothers expressed deep concerns about the Israeli government’s practice of arresting and detaining Palestinian civilians, alleging a lack of due process. Human rights groups have raised similar concerns, emphasizing the Israeli judicial system’s absence of basic due process protections, with charges often open to interpretation.
According to Sari Bashi from Human Rights Watch, there are currently an estimated 7,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel. Out of this staggering number, around 2,000 are in pretrial detention, 2,000 have been convicted of “security crimes,” and more than 2,000 remain incarcerated without being charged in what is known as “administrative detention.”
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reported an alarming increase in recent arrests, with over 3,365 Palestinians detained since the commencement of the ongoing conflict. Released Palestinians have described dire conditions within Israeli prisons, detailing incidents of physical abuse, beatings, and constant threats during their incarceration.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in staggering human loss. Gaza has witnessed over 15,000 casualties, including fatalities and injuries, while Israel has reported more than 1,200 deaths and approximately 6,900 wounded individuals, according to respective government sources.
Despite their release, the Al-Awar brothers expressed profound concern for others still affected by the war and remained uncertain about the future. They mentioned living under occupation, the continued threat of house demolitions, and crackdowns as persistent worries.
Looking ahead, Nasrallah Al-Awar expressed enthusiasm about returning to school and successfully graduating. However, both brothers apprehensively feared the possibility of re-arrest. They refrained from commenting on Hamas’ actions on October 7, leaving room to focus on their own experience and the broader challenges facing the Palestinian population.
As the Al-Awar brothers step back into society, their release serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflicts surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all involved parties.
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