Mohammad Salhab Tamimi, an 18-year-old Palestinian teenager, was finally reunited with his family on Tuesday after spending eight months in Israeli prisons without being charged or processed. Tamimi’s release was part of an ongoing prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestine. His return marked a bittersweet moment for his family, as they were warned that any signs of celebration could result in his rearrest and return to prison.
Tamimi’s journey through the Israeli prison system was filled with uncertainty and torment, which only worsened after the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7. The last interaction he had with prison guards was a warning that he would be punished if his family and friends celebrated his release. Fearing repercussions from the Israeli military and nearby settlements, Tamimi’s family kept their happiness subdued, with only immediate family and a few close relatives present.
Tamimi was part of the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Ofer prison near Ramallah. Until the last moment, he was unsure about his fate. On November 27, a guard at Rimon Prison instructed Tamimi to prepare for transfer to Ofer Prison without providing any explanation. He was stripped of his clothes, forced into a prison sweatsuit, and had to gather his belongings. Tamimi vividly recalls the painful experience of being kicked and dragged by the prison guard.
Loaded into a prisoner transfer vehicle known as a “bosta,” Tamimi endured a grueling journey that lasted for hours. The vehicle, with its blacked-out windows and cramped cells, offered no respite, rest stops, or basic amenities. Hunger and thirst plagued Tamimi until after midnight. Eventually, his father and uncle were waiting for him outside Ofer Prison, ready to drive him back to Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
Life in prison took a turn for the worse after October 7, when Hamas launched an attack from Gaza, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. Reports from various institutions revealed severe beatings, denial of medical attention, limited access to lawyers and family visits, and shortages of basic necessities like electricity, water, and hygiene products. Tragically, at least six Palestinian prisoners died or were killed in Israeli custody during this period.
The ceasefire negotiations between Egypt, Qatar, and both sides led to a temporary halt in hostilities and the exchange of captives. While Hamas released batches of Israeli captives, Israel reciprocated by releasing Palestinian detainees. However, the optimism brought by these exchanges was dampened by Israel’s continued arrests of Palestinians from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Since October 7, Israel has carried out a total of 3,290 arrests in these areas.
Tamimi’s release shed light on the extreme overcrowding in Israeli prisons. He described how ten prisoners were crammed into cells meant for six, forcing them to sleep on the floor. Insufficient food rations had to be carefully rationed among cellmates. Moreover, prison guards launched attacks on two sections of Rimon Prison, resulting in injuries among the prisoners.
The prisoners’ isolation from the outside world left them stripped of their possessions, including utensils and appliances that brought some comfort. They were denied access to hygiene supplies and barred from using washing machines. The prison authorities also prevented them from utilizing the prison yard or making any noise, further stifling their spirits.
Tamimi’s release serves as a reminder of the harsh realities faced by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. As the ongoing conflict continues to take its toll, the plight of those detained remains a pressing concern for human rights advocates worldwide.
