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The release of Muhammad Abu Salamiya, director of the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, has sparked a political row in Israel. The far-right internal security minister described it as “security recklessness,” while sources close to the defense minister claim he was not aware of the planned release. Former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid have criticized the decision, calling it an error that undermines Israeli security.

WhatsApp messages from inside the Israeli government suggest that the head of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, is facing calls for resignation. Israel claims that the al-Shifa hospital was being used by Hamas under the watch of Abu Salmiya and that Israeli hostages were killed on the premises. Abu Salmiya, upon his release, called for the release of all Palestinian detainees and vowed to rebuild the hospital.

Amidst the release of prisoners and the political turmoil, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of Israeli airstrikes causing casualties. The UN has called for safe and unimpeded access for aid workers in Gaza, where medical facilities have been devastated. The security council is scheduled to discuss the humanitarian situation and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with estimates that it will take decades and billions of dollars to rebuild the region. Israeli military has also announced the death of a soldier in southern Gaza, while Hamas claims to have killed and wounded Israeli soldiers.

Overall, the release of Abu Salamiya has intensified political tensions in Israel, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.

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