GAZA, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- The Israeli occupation has abstained from releasing a number of Palestinian women and children as part of the seventh stage of the recently crafted deal, a medical official said on Thursday.
The nursing director at Gaza's "European Hospital," said in a statement that medical teams were ready to receive 24 of the prisoners, children and women, but the occupation disrupted their release.
Up to 456 freshly freed Palestinian prisoners arrived at the hospital at dawn, he affirmed, adding that they appeared skinny and some could not walk due to subjugation to beating and torture. A number of them suffered fractures in the chest; one had lost a hand and another his foot. He added that the majority of them suffered skin illnesses.
The occupation had delayed release of the seventh prisoners' batch that was due on Saturday, protesting what Israeli officials deemed as "insulting ceremonies" for recent release of Israeli prisoners. (end) wib.rk