Thu Apr 10 12:30:45 UTC 2025: ## Palestinian Teen Released After Prison-Induced Schizophrenia
**Jerusalem, April 10, 2025** – Ahmad Manasra, a Palestinian man who was imprisoned in Israel since the age of 13, has been released after serving a nine-and-a-half-year sentence for attempted murder. Manasra, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia while in solitary confinement, had his appeals for early release repeatedly denied by Israeli courts.
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 passing car and subsequently beaten and taunted by bystanders. A graphic video of the incident went viral.
While Israeli authorities labeled Manasra a terrorist, Palestinians argue that harsh prison conditions, including prolonged solitary confinement and alleged abuse, led to his severe mental illness. His lawyer, Khaled Zabarqa, stated that Manasra’s release followed the completion of his sentence and that he is now with his parents. Zabarqa expressed concern about Manasra’s health following his release.
Manasra’s case highlights concerns about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, particularly those held since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Gaza. Rights groups report increasingly harsh conditions within Israeli prisons, with many released prisoners exhibiting signs of significant illness and requiring immediate medical attention. The Israeli prison authority, however, maintains that all prisoners are held in accordance with Israeli and international law. The death of another Palestinian teenager, held for six months without charge, last month further fuels concerns about the wellbeing of young Palestinians in Israeli custody. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
First Piper 