Thu Apr 10 12:30:45 UTC 2025: ## Palestinian Teenager Released After Nine Years in Israeli Prison, Suffering from Schizophrenia

**Jerusalem, April 10, 2025** – Ahmad Manasra, a Palestinian man who was imprisoned in Israel since the age of 13, was released on Thursday after serving a nine-and-a-half-year sentence for attempted murder. Manasra’s release follows years of legal battles and international concern over his mental health. He reportedly developed schizophrenia while incarcerated, a condition his lawyers and family attribute to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment, including prolonged solitary confinement.

In 2015, Manasra, then 13, and his cousin participated in a knife attack in East Jerusalem. His cousin was killed by police, while Manasra was severely injured by a vehicle and subsequently beaten and taunted by Israeli bystanders, an incident captured in a widely circulated video. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison.

While in prison, Manasra experienced periods of solitary confinement, reportedly spending up to 23 hours a day in a small cell. He engaged in self-harm and displayed symptoms of paranoia and delusions. Medical professionals diagnosed him with schizophrenia, directly linking his condition to the trauma and harsh conditions of his incarceration. Repeated appeals for his early release were rejected by Israeli courts, citing his terrorism conviction.

Manasra’s lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, confirmed his release and expressed concern for his client’s ongoing health. The Israeli Prison Authority declined to comment on specific conditions of Manasra’s imprisonment, stating that all prisoners are held in accordance with Israeli and international law. However, rights groups claim that conditions have worsened in Israeli prisons following the October 2023 Hamas attack.

This release comes amidst ongoing tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict and raises further questions about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, particularly minors, in Israeli custody. The case highlights the long-term impact of imprisonment on mental health and fuels debate over Israel’s judicial system and its treatment of Palestinian detainees.

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