Israel released Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Manasra on Thursday, nearly a decade after his arrest at the age of 13 for his involvement in a stabbing attack in East Jerusalem.
According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, Mr Manasra’s family had gathered outside Nafha Prison to welcome him. However, they were later informed that he had been released in Beersheba, around 50 kilometres away.
Mr Manasra and his cousin Hassan, 15, entered East Jerusalem carrying knives in 2015. During the attack, Hassan fatally stabbed an Israeli man and wounded a 13-year-old Israeli boy before being shot dead by police. Footage widely circulated online showed a severely injured Mr Manasra, who had been run over by a car, pinned to the ground by Israeli soldiers.
Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 180,000 shekels ($47,900), Mr Manasra’s term was later reduced to nine and a half years in 2017 after his case was classified as a “terrorism case” by the Israeli Supreme Court.
During his time in prison, Mr Manasra spent long periods in solitary confinement. In 2022, his mother was able to touch him for the first time in seven years during a visit to his solitary cell, an emotional moment she shared in a video posted on social media.
Mr Manasra’s health deteriorated significantly during his incarceration. He was diagnosed with multiple psychological conditions, including schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe depression. His lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, confirmed that Mr Manasra is currently with his parents following his release but added that details regarding his current health status remain unclear.
“We know that in jail he’s been very ill. We’re waiting to know his health situation now,” Mr Zabarqa said.
The case of Ahmad Manasra has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations raising concerns about the treatment of minors in Israeli prisons.
