‘I escaped clutches of death,’ says Palestinian freed after 21 years in Israeli prisons

By Awad Rjoob and Ikram Kouachi

RAMALLAH, Palestine / ANKARA (AA) – After spending more than two decades in Israeli prisons, Palestinian Imad Abu Ramouz, 50, has finally regained his freedom.

Describing his release as “escaping the clutches of death,” Abu Ramouz returned to his hometown of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Saturday following his release as part of a prisoner exchange deal.

Despite being freed, he said Israeli intelligence officers continue to threaten him.

"I am still being threatened by Shin Bet officers. Every word I say is monitored and counted against me," he stated.

Reflecting on the moment of his release, he said: “We waited, moment by moment, to escape from the jaws of death.”

Overcome with emotion, he struggled to find words to thank those who welcomed him. "I thank our people, I mourn the martyrs, and I pray for the recovery of the wounded," he said.

- Israel’s legacy of torture, abuse

Describing the harsh conditions he endured, Abu Ramouz said the past 16 months — marked by Israel’s war on Gaza — were worse than the previous 20 years he spent in prison.

"The occupation showed its true face — insults, beatings to the head, solitary confinement, torture, and even forced stripping," he said.

He revealed that he had to change his clothes inside the transport vehicle before reaching home. "If I removed my shirt, the scars from my detention would be clear," he said.

"Every inch of my body is bruised and bleeding, but I hid it so my family wouldn’t worry," he added.

He said Israeli special forces violently assaulted Palestinian prisoners between 300 and 400 times in the past 16 months.

- Warm welcome

Despite his ordeal, Abu Ramouz found comfort in the overwhelming support he received upon his release.

“The love and solidarity of our people make 21 years of suffering worthwhile,” he said.

He noted that the warm reception of freed prisoners reflects the Palestinian people's unwavering commitment to their cause and those imprisoned.

Born in 1974, Abu Ramouz was arrested on Dec. 1, 2004, and sentenced to 25 years in prison for his affiliation with Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, an armed resistance group linked to Fatah.

While in prison, he suffered severe medical neglect, according to the Prisoners’ Media Office. He was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery to remove one of his testicles after Israeli authorities allegedly delayed his treatment for months.

- Exchange and ceasefire

On Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which handed them over to Israeli authorities. In return, 183 Palestinian prisoners were freed, including 18 serving life sentences and 54 with long terms.

Israel currently holds over 10,300 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas detains around 96 Israelis in Gaza.

The first phase of the agreement began on Jan. 19, halting Israel’s war, which has killed more than 47,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 111,500 since Oct. 7, 2023.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and efforts toward sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel’s onslaught has left over 11,000 people missing and caused widespread destruction, creating a humanitarian crisis.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.