Ramallah, January 23 (RHC)-- Palestinian families erupted in celebration earlier this week as Israel released the first wave of captives from Israeli jails as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.  Of the first 90 Palestinians released, 69 are women and 21 children.  

Most had been detained without charge under Israel’s “administrative detention” law. Among them is journalist Rula Hassanein, an editor for the Ramallah-based Wattan Media Network. Hassanein reunited with her infant daughter, whom she last saw 10 months ago, when the baby was just 9 months old.  

Hassanein was tried by a military court at Israel’s notorious Ofer Prison and convicted of incitement after she shared social media posts sympathetic to Palestinians in Gaza. 

Speaking after her release, Hassanein told the news site Middle East Eye that she and other Palestinian women were deprived of food, clothing and medical care.

“There were numerous violations against female prisoners as women.  Honestly, it’s difficult to even describe them on air or even in private conversations.  There was significant infringement of basic rights.  Headscarves were removed, strip searches were conducted repeatedly, and there were sudden night inspections.  There was repression beyond imagination, a purely oppressive situation.”

[ SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW ]