A Palestinian mother whose two sons were serving life terms in Israeli detention, said it was “a miracle” and “a dream come true” to have them released as a part of the prisoner swap deal concluded between Tel Aviv and Hamas.
The mother of Hassan and Abdul Karim Awis from Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank, said seeing her children free was a dream she never expected would come true.
“Today, this dream is living a reality, not one but the two are released on the same day,” she said.
The mother praised the steadfastness and efforts of the Palestinians in Gaza, who fought for their land and for all the prisoners, adding that although her son, Abdul Karim, was deported to Egypt, the cruelty of exile is far better than remaining in the Israeli occupation’s prisons.
She highlighted that her children have suffered immensely in Israel’s jails, each losing approximately 30 kilogrammes due to the scarcity of food.
“They also suffered from the lack of medical care, which led to the outbreak and spread of diseases including smallpox and others, in a systematic policy pursued by the Israeli occupation,” she said.
“Hussam returned to Jenin, and Abdul Karim was exiled to Egypt, but the most important thing is that they were freed from the occupation’s prisons, and this in itself is a victory,” she said.
READ: Families of Israeli hostages accuse Netanyahu, government of obstructing swap deal