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The Israeli occupation authorities decided yesterday to expel Hana Al Shalabi to the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian administrative detainee, who has been on hunger strike for 43 days, will have to spend at least three years in Gaza before being allowed back to her home village in the occupied West Bank.
Large crowds turned out in Gaza to welcome Ms Al Shalabi who, understandably, appeared weak and in poor health. She was handed over at the Bayt Hanun crossing between Israel and the besieged territory, and taken immediately to Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for medical checks.
Hana Al Shalabi was one of the prisoners freed in the exchange deal agreed between Hamas and Israel for the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Shortly thereafter, Israeli occupation forces re-detained Al Shalabi without any specific court ruling or charges against her. Gaza’s Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh visited Ms Al Shalabi in hospital and commended her heroic struggle against injustice.
MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad