Palestinian Fadi al-Jouba: From 18 Life Sentences in "Israeli" jail to Freedom

Fadi Obeid - Gaza

A little over a year ago, life was entirely different for the young man Fadi al-Jouba of al-Khalil in the West Bank. Back then, the dark "Israeli" jail was the only overwhelming scene in his life, after the wicked occupation had snatched him from his parents for around ten years. He was then released in the latest prisoner deal between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Resistance "Hamas Movement".

On March 7, 2003, Fadi's cruel apprehension took its way. Albeit residents of al-Jalda, West al-Khalil, were surprised by the tight "Israeli" military and aerial reinforcements surrounding al-Jouba's house. However, Fadi was well aware that he was the target of this operation. He had just finished retaliating from an "Israeli" crime on Palestinians in the Bank.

After hastened raids and oppressions on the whole family, Fadi was taken to investigation in Askalan prison then to Nafha al-Sahraoui.
Determination
A few months passed, and with each moment, the suffering Fadi endured from violent torture increased. These cruel methods of torture were far from any human rights' accords or international agreements regarding prisoners of war or even normal prisoners.

Then came February 13, 2005; the day of Fadi's sentencing by Oufar Military Court. Holding his breath, Fadi was sentenced to 18 life sentences by the unjust "Israeli" judge.
Recalling the moment the "Israeli" judge issued his verdict, liberated Fadi stated, "I immediately looked at the judge with a smirk, then a stare of rage and challenge."
Charges against Fadi included: Accessory in planning Haifa's self-martyr operation in 5/3/2003, executed by martyr Mahmoud al-Kawasma, which resulted in the death of 17 "Israelis" and injury of others; Accomplice in manufacturing explosive belts and bombs; Member of "an illegal" organization, the military wing of Hamas namely al-Qassam Brigades, Recruiting others in this organization; and training with weaponry.

Moreover, the liberated al-Jouba reminisced the bitter reality prisoners lived in "Israeli" prisons, especially with the escalation in resistance these days. He further underscored that living conditions there drove them to resist.
Prisoners are forbidden to meet their families, to possess personal items, and to have food from religious occasions and so on.
Another life
Fadi accentuated that the popular and official support, he and his friends received, from the first moment of freedom was beyond their expectation.
The first year of freedom for Fadi was full of happy events; he got married and conceived a baby girl. He was able to go to Holy Mecca for al-Hajj with a Saudi grant, and also succeeded in opening an exhibition for women clothing and accessories named Eve.

Official data noted that there are around 4600 Palestinian prisoners in 20 prisons, among which are 7 female prisoners, 180 children, 250 "administrative" detainees, and 1200 medically neglected prisoners suffering from different diseases.
According to the same figures, pre-Oslow Accord and pre-Palestinian authority prisoners reached 106 on May 4 1994, while the number of senior prisoners, or those who spent over 20 years in "Israeli" prisons, reached 69.

On a similar note, prisoner Abdullah al-Barghouti, owner of the highest record of sentences in the history of the Palestinian resistance, was sentenced to 67 life sentences and 500 years.

Source: al-Ahed News, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org