Saturday, April 26, 2025

Israel frees hunger-striking footballer

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GAZA: Dozens of Islamic militants fired rifles in the air on Tuesday in a rousing homecoming for a member of the Palestinian national soccer team who was released by Israel after being held for three years without formal charges.

The player, Mahmoud Sarsak, 25, had staged a hunger strike for more than 90 days to press for his release, winning support from international sports organisations.

Israel accused Sarsak of being active in the violent Islamic Jihad group, a charge he denied.

During the hunger strike, Sarsak had lost nearly half his normal weight. He was released earlier Tuesday from a prison hospital.

Sarsak was arrested in July 2009 at a crossing between his native Gaza and Israel on his way to the West Bank for a soccer match.

Former Manchester United great Eric Cantona, British filmmaker Ken Loach and others signed a petition calling for his freedom. (AP)

 

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