Israel releases Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef after more than two years of detention

Hassan Yousef, a 71-year-old co-founder of Hamas, has been released from Israeli administrative detention. His son, Owais, confirmed the release to local and international media on Thursday night. Hamas also issued an official statement congratulating Yousef and his family.

Yousef has spent a cumulative total of over 20 years in Israeli prisons. His most recent detention began in October 2023. Prior to this, he was released in July 2020 after serving 16 months. Following his latest release, he was reportedly taken directly to a hospital in Ramallah, having been released near Hebron.

Media reports suggest that Yousef was not put on trial and faced no charges during his most recent period of detention. Footage reviewed by Agence France-Presse appeared to show Yousef in a hospital bed with his arm in a sling, reportedly telling loved ones, "I can't sleep because of the pain." The source of his injury is not publicly known.

Yousef is recognized as a senior Hamas leader in the West Bank, having co-founded the group in 1987 alongside Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood. He is also the father of Mosab Hassan Yousef, who defected from Hamas and has since spoken out against the organization.

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I can't sleep because of the pain