Israeli authorities released Hassan Yousef, a senior leader and co-founder of Hamas, after holding him in administrative detention without trial for over two years. The 71-year-old was freed near Hebron in the southern West Bank and subsequently taken to a hospital in Ramallah, where he is currently residing, according to his son, Owais Yousef.
Hassan Yousef was apprehended in October 2023, shortly after a Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since then, the Israeli government has significantly increased its use of administrative detention for Palestinians, a process that allows for the detention of individuals for renewable six-month periods without formal charges. While Israeli officials assert that this method is crucial for national security and preventing terrorist activities, critics argue that it is often misused and violates human rights.
Following his release, footage captured Yousef in a hospital bed, with one arm in a sling, as he received visits from family members. During a phone call with a well-wisher, he expressed discomfort, stating, “I can’t sleep because of the pain.” He was eventually wheeled away for further medical assessments.
Yousef’s history with Israeli detention is extensive; this most recent incarceration followed a previous release in July 2020, after serving 16 months under similar circumstances. Beyond his role in Hamas, Yousef is noted for being a member of the now-defunct Palestinian parliament. His family relationships are complex, particularly with his eldest son, Mosab Hassan Yousef, who famously spied for Israel’s Shin Bet from 1997 to 2007 before relocating to the United States. There, he adopted a new identity and authored the controversial book “Son of Hamas,” which details his experiences and the rift with his father’s organization.
As the situation in the region remains tense, Yousef’s release is likely to draw attention both locally and internationally, highlighting the ongoing complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the contentious issue of administrative detention practices.
