Israel released convicted Palestinian terrorist Ahmed Manasra on Thursday following concerns for his worsening mental condition. He served nine and a half years for his role in a terror attack that saw two Israelis stabbed.
Manasra was 13 years old when he was arrested in 2015 for stabbing a fellow 13-year-old and a 20-year-old Israeli in east Jerusalem with his cousin. His cousin, who was shot dead by officers, stabbed the 13-year-old Israeli boy as he exited a candy store, according to the Washington Post.
Ahmed was reportedly run over with a car and beaten by Israelis nearby following the attack, the Washington Post reported. He was later convicted of attempted murder.
"I was with my cousin, but I didn't stab anyone," he told authorities in a break away from his initial claims, the Jerusalem Post previously reported. "I even pleaded with him not to stab anyone. I didn't want to go through with it even though, at first, we left the house with the intention of stabbing Jews. This was after my cousin persuaded me to come with him. I was just afraid."
Following the attack, Manasra was diagnosed in 2021 with schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe depression, Amnesty International reported.
The now 23-year-old was reportedly released from Nafha prison, according to Palestinian Authority-state run WAFA. He was released into the custody of his family, who were reportedly surprised by the sudden release.
Welfare concerns
The conditions Manasra was held in have long been a concern of humanitarian and Palestinian organizations, who claimed he was kept in solitary confinement - which they alleged worsened his mental state. He reportedly tried to harm himself and others while in prison and was moved to confinement following a fight with a fellow inmate in 2021.
His family reported that following the move to isolation, he was kept in a small cell for 23 hours a day and suffered from delusions that prevented him from sleeping. His lawyer also claimed that he attempted to cut his wrists during this period.
Despite his conditions, a parole board rejected his attempts to gain early release in 2022.