After nearly a quarter century in captivity, Ziad Hammouda walks free

Israeli occupation authorities released Ziad Yaqoub Hammouda few days ago, ending nearly a quarter century behind bars. He is 52, from Rantis, a village northwest of Ramallah.

Occupation forces seized him in April 2002 after a long manhunt. Their intelligence service put him through a harsh interrogation. They charged him with belonging to armed factions and taking part in military operations that wounded soldiers.

Three years after his arrest, the Ofer military court sentenced him to 24 years, which he served in full, plus several months more.

For years, the prison authorities followed a policy of abuse and medical neglect. His health failed more than once, and they moved him to the prison hospital in Ramla. Conditions there were grim.

He is home in Rantis, with his family.