What it’s about
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the decision to release Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s largest hospital, from Israeli detention. Netanyahu described it as a “severe mistake” and has initiated the formation of an interagency body to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Why it matters
Abu Salmiya was detained by Israeli forces in November on suspicions of abetting Hamas by allowing the Gaza City hospital to be used for operational activities. His release ignited a storm of accusations and counterclaims between Israel’s political and security entities as Netanyahu emphasized a need for better coordination among Israeli authorities before releasing detainees.
Netanyahu’s Response
Netanyahu stressed that the decision to release Abu Salmiya was made without the knowledge or consent of political leaders or heads of major security agencies. He called it a moral failure, pointing out Abu Salmiya’s alleged responsibility for hosting and facilitating Hamas’s activities involving abductees within the hospital.
New Measures
In response to the release, Netanyahu announced the establishment of an interagency body comprising representatives from the Defense Ministry, IDF, Shin Bet, and the National Security Council. This body will be tasked with overseeing and approving all detainee releases to ensure thorough and responsible decision-making. The goals declared include security enhancement and prevention of operational failures reminiscent of Abu Salmiya’s release.
Overreaction and Overcrowding
The release has also brought broader issues to light, such as prison overcrowding. Shin Bet had previously warned against the problem, now echoed through practical challenges in detaining over 21,000 prisoners despite facilities designed to hold only 14,000. The Israeli Prison Service (IPS) disputed overcrowding as a reason for the release and broadcaster images contradicting this claim, maintaining there was adequate space and proper conditions.
Tensions and Blame
The situation has raised tensions among Israeli cabinet members, with accusations shared between Shin Bet officials and ministers about priority readiness. Ay endeavors now include bolstering infrastructural capacities to eliminate any exigent reasons for premature releases. Additionally, Netanyahu invited Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to reveal the results of an inquiry behind Abu Salmiya’s release.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.