Abu Nader, veteran Palestinian prisoner, dies aged 85

Abu Nader, veteran Palestinian prisoner, dies aged 85
A former Palestinian prisoner who spent 28 years in prison, released as part of the Shalit deal, has died at his home in Haifa.
1 min read
11 Jun, 2015
Palestinians call for the release of their relatives held in Israeli jails [Anadolu]
One the eldest political prisoners held by Israel has died at the age of 85, according to the Palestinian Detainees' Committee and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.

Sami Younis, also known as Abu Nader, who was released from an Israeli prison at the age of 82, died on Wednesday at his home in Haifa.

Younis was imprisoned by Israel for 28 years, and released in 2011 as part of the Shalit prisoner swap deal.

As part of the deal between Hamas and Israel, 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel in exchange for an Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was captured in 2006.

First detained by Israel in January 1983, Younis was charged with being involved in organising armed cells to resist the Israeli occupation.

Sentenced to life in prison, he spent much of his detention in solitary confinement.

While incarcerated, Younis became the oldest Palestinian political prisoner held by Israel. He was nicknamed the "dean of prisoners in Israel" according to Maan news, a Bethlehem-based Palestinian news agency.

The International Middle East Media Centre estimates there are 26 longtime prisoners who should have been released by Israel as part of a deal to resume peace talks, but are still behind bars.