Qais Abu Samra
26 January 2025•Update: 26 January 2025
RAMALLAH, Palestine
After enduring 20 years of torture and harsh conditions in Israeli prisons, Khalil Muslim Barq'ah, a recently freed Palestinian prisoner, described his release as a triumph of resistance over oppression.
Speaking to Anadolu following his release, Barq'ah recounted the suffering he endured, including beatings, starvation, and constant physical and mental abuse. He attributed his freedom to the sacrifices of Gaza’s people and the resilience of the Palestinian resistance.
"I was sentenced to 20 life terms and served 20 years of that sentence. Today, I am free, and my chains have been broken thanks to the resistance," Barq'ah said.
Seated with his sisters at a recreational center in Ramallah, he expressed gratitude to the people of Gaza.
"We thank the steadfast people of Gaza who worked on this prisoner exchange deal. We owe this freedom to their resilience and sacrifice and we pray for the martyrs who gave their lives for our cause," he added.
Barq'ah was arrested on July 26, 2002, and sentenced by an Israeli court to 20 life terms for his alleged involvement in an operation in occupied Jerusalem. He was released Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange deal mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
‘Unbearable living conditions’
Barq'ah highlighted the dire conditions in Israeli prisons, noting that his physical state reflects the hardship endured.
"Our faces show the torment and abuse we endured. We lost significant weight due to torture, beatings, and starvation," he said.
Despite health issues, including disc problems and a stomach ulcer worsened by his incarceration, Barq'ah emphasized his unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.
"Our faith in our just cause and the support of our people gave us strength. We are people of justice, and we will continue to fight for our rights," he stated.
He expressed immense joy at his release, calling it a victory. "To be among our people and in our homeland is a victory in itself."
However, he also pointed to the ongoing suffering of Palestinian prisoners. "They live under extremely harsh conditions, waiting for their own freedom."
Exchange and ceasefire
On Saturday, Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which handed them over to Israeli authorities. In exchange, 200 Palestinian prisoners were freed, including 30 serving life sentences and 20 with long terms.
Israel currently holds over 10,300 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas detains around 96 Israeli captives in Gaza.
The first phase of the agreement began on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s war that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 111,000 since Oct. 7, 2023.
On the first day of the ceasefire, Israel released 90 Palestinian detainees in return for three Israeli captives freed by Hamas.
The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel’s onslaught has left over 11,000 people missing and caused massive destruction, creating a humanitarian crisis.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
* Writing by Ikram Kouachi
