Family and Hamas Confirm Release of Veteran Palestinian Leader
RAMALLAH: Senior Hamas leader and co-founder Hassan Yousef was released from Israeli administrative detention on Thursday after being held since October 2023, according to confirmations from both his family and Hamas.
Yousef’s son, Owais Yousef, confirmed the release to local and international media, while Hamas issued an official statement welcoming the development and congratulating the veteran Palestinian leader and his family.
According to Hamas, the 71-year-old has spent more than two decades in Israeli prisons over the course of his political career. Before his latest detention, he was released in July 2020 after serving 16 months in custody.
Reports indicated that Israeli authorities released Yousef near Hebron before he was transferred directly to a hospital in Ramallah for medical evaluation. Media accounts stated that he was held under administrative detention during the latest period of incarceration and was neither formally tried nor charged.
Health Concerns Emerge Following Release
Following his release, footage reviewed by international media appeared to show Yousef receiving treatment in a hospital bed with one arm supported by a sling. However, the exact nature and cause of the injury have not been publicly disclosed.
According to reports, Yousef told relatives and visitors that he had been experiencing significant pain and difficulty sleeping. Medical officials have not released detailed information regarding his condition.
Long Political History and Family Connections
Hassan Yousef remains one of Hamas’s most prominent figures in the West Bank. He was among the founding members of the movement in 1987 alongside Ahmed Yassin and other Palestinian members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Yousef is also widely known as the father of Mosab Hassan Yousef, who publicly broke with Hamas in the 1990s and later authored the book Son of Hamas in 2010. Mosab has since become a vocal critic of the organization and has spoken publicly about his cooperation with Israeli intelligence services.
The release of Hassan Yousef comes amid continued tensions across the Palestinian territories and renewed attention on detainee issues in the region.
