Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both distance themselves from the release of the Shifa Hospital director and some 50 other Palestinian detainees back to the Gaza Strip this morning.
“The procedure for incarcerating security prisoners and their release is under the Shin Bet and the Israel Prison Service, and is not subject to the approval of the defense minister,” Gallant’s office says.
The Shin Bet is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office, while the Israel Prison Service is under Itamar Ben Gvir’s National Security Ministry.
Netanyahu’s office says “the decision to release the prisoners followed discussions at the High Court on a petition against the detention of prisoners at the Sde Teiman detention facility.”
“The identity of the released prisoners is determined independently by security officials based on their professional considerations,” the statement continues.
The Prime Minister’s Office adds that Netanyahu has ordered an immediate investigation of the matter.
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