Cities like Ramallah, Al-Khalil, Ariha, and Nablus saw multiple gatherings of Palestinians calling for the release of thousands of detainees held by “Israel” without charge.
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Palestinians hold photographs of prisoners jailed in Israel during a rally marking the annual prisoners’ day in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP)
Coinciding with Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, Palestinians across the occupied West Bank rallied on Wednesday to demand the fulfillment of detainees’ rights in Israeli occupation prisons.
The demonstrations which traditionally take place on April 17 each year gained significance this year amidst heightened settler violence and increased detainments across the occupied territory.
Cities like Ramallah, Al-Khalil, Ariha, and Nablus saw multiple gatherings of Palestinians calling for the release of detainees held by the Israeli regime without charge and demanding that Israeli authorities allow families to visit their incarcerated loved ones.
#يوم_الأسير_الفلسطيني#Palestinian_Prisoner_Day#Gaza_under_attack
#CeasefireNow
#Palestine
#Israeliwarcrimes pic.twitter.com/GdGPHHJxUx— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) April 17, 2024
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Israeli occupation authorities have worked meticulously to limit support to detainees, as some attendees expressed reluctance as they fear potential repercussions from Israeli forces for their involvement in the rightful rallies.
The increase in arrests has resulted in a surge in the number of Palestinian detainees, particularly since the war on Gaza began. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, around 9,000 Palestinians have been detained in occupied territories since October 7. Of particular concern is the practice of administrative detention, which Israeli authorities employ to arbitrarily detain Palestinians without charge or trial for renewable periods of up to six months.
Read more: Palestinian detainees say stuck in Guantanamo’s Gaza branch
During the rally Nablus, families shared their stories of anguish and separation, with some focusing on the prolonged detention of their loved ones and the denial of visitation rights.
One mother, Umm Fadi Hamad, spoke to AFP of her son’s incarceration for 12 years, expressing despair over the inability to see him and the impact on their family life.
“For two and a half years, we haven’t seen his face, we have not been able to visit him,” Umm Fadi Hamad said. “Fadi has never seen his youngest son.”
Palestinians take part in a protest marking the Palestinian prisoner’s day in Ramallah city. pic.twitter.com/0E1XMNcb7X
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) April 17, 2024
