In a dramatic turn of events, 18-year-old Mohammad Salhab Tamimi, a Palestinian prisoner, has been released as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange deal after spending eight months in Israeli prisons with no charges or due process. Mohammad's return to his family was marked by caution and muted celebrations, as they were warned that any signs of jubilation could lead to his re-arrest.

Mohammad was among the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Ofer prison near Ramallah in the early hours of Tuesday. However, until the last moment, he was unsure about what was happening to him. He was abruptly transferred from Rimon Prison to Ofer Prison without being given any explanation. Stripped of his belongings and forced to wear a grey prison sweatsuit, Mohammad was subjected to degrading treatment by prison guards.

Loaded into a cramped prisoner transfer vehicle known as a "bosta," Mohammad endured a grueling journey of 12 hours or more, without rest stops, food, or toilet breaks. It was only after midnight that he was provided with food and drink. Finally, when he was released, his father and uncle were waiting for him outside Ofer Prison, ready to drive him back to his hometown of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

Mohammad's release comes at a time when tensions escalated between Israel and Palestine, following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people. Reports have emerged of severe beatings, denial of medical attention, and the withholding of essential amenities from Palestinian prisoners since the start of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.

Tragically, at least six Palestinian prisoners have died or were killed while in Israeli custody since October 7. Alongside Mohammad's ordeal, he also highlighted the extreme overcrowding and insufficient food supplies in Israeli prisons, where ten prisoners were often crammed into cells meant for six.

During their time in prison, the detainees were cut off from the outside world, deprived of news and stripped of their possessions. They were prevented from buying hygiene supplies and were denied access to washing machines. Additionally, the prisoners were isolated from the prison yard and prohibited from making any noise as an outlet for their frustration.

The release of Palestinian prisoners is part of a larger prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. As Hamas released batches of captives it had taken on October 7, Israel reciprocated by releasing Palestinians held in detention facilities. However, despite the releases, Israeli authorities have continued to carry out arrests in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, with 133 people being detained since the humanitarian pause negotiated by Egypt and Qatar.

Mohammad's story sheds light on the harsh conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners and the ongoing challenges for those living in the occupied West Bank. As he returns to his family after months of uncertainty, it serves as a stark reminder of the daily struggles faced by Palestinians under occupation.