Watan-Liberated captive Israa Jaabis expressed poignant words after her release, part of the second batch of the prisoner exchange deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas and the Israeli occupation.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, she said that she feels ashamed to rejoice while all of Palestine is wounded, confirming that the wounds of Palestine have extended for many years.
She added that Palestinians are born with their wounds, clarifying that her pains were visible to everyone while she was in the prisons of the occupation.
Before uttering these words, Israa Jaabis embraced Al Jazeera correspondent Najwan Samri, and their embrace continued for several seconds following her release.
Invasion of Israa Jaabis’ Home
Israeli occupation forces had raided the home of the liberated captive Israa Jaabis before her arrival, in significant numbers, to evacuate those inside. Despite the presence of relatives of the captive, there were no neighbors or well-wishers.
Israa Jaabis was released late on Saturday night, among 39 Palestinian women and children prisoners, as part of the second batch of the exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The release is accompanied by a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for a period of 4 days, extendable.
Israa is one of the oldest ten female prisoners in the occupation’s prisons and has served eight years of her 11-year sentence for attempting to kill an Israeli soldier.
قوات خاصة من شرطة الاحتلال تقتحم منزل الأسيرة إسراء جعابيص في القدس وتخرج من بداخله #حرب_غزة #الأخبار pic.twitter.com/WIHy8iV04p
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) November 25, 2023
Arrest of Israa Jaabis
On October 11, 2015, while returning from the city of Jericho to Jerusalem, Israa Jaabis’ car broke down near the Al-Za’im checkpoint. Israeli forces opened fire on the car, causing a gas cylinder inside to explode and a large fire to break out.
As a result, Israa Jaabis suffered burns ranging from first to third degree, covering 50% to 60% of her body. She lost all the fingers on her hands and endured facial disfigurement.
Israeli authorities prevented her from receiving the necessary medical treatment and deliberately neglected her, despite her need for eight surgical operations.