Ramallah, December 1 (RHC)-- Israel’s brutal, renewed assault on Gaza came after Israel and Hamas completed a seventh exchange of captives.

On Thursday, eight Israelis held by Hamas were released, while 30 Palestinians were freed from Israeli jails.  Israel’s government says it believes Hamas still holds 137 hostages kidnapped during the October 7 attacks.

Newly freed Palestinians report suffering torture and sexual assault.  Baraah Abo Ramouz, a Palestinian journalist who spoke after his release from an Israeli jail Thursday, told reporters:  “The situation in the prisons is devastating. The prisoners are abused. They are being constantly beaten. They’re being sexually assaulted. They are being raped. I’m not exaggerating. The prisoners are being raped.”