Israel Releases 35 Palestinian Prisoners Back Into Gaza

Israel released 35 Palestinian prisoners into Gaza on August 17, 2026, prompting emotional reunions with waiting families. Rights groups say more than 9,400 Palestinians remain in Israeli detention, and have documented allegations of torture, sexual violence, and deliberate starvation in Israeli detention facilities. The release came as US envoy Jared Kushner pressed Israeli and Hamas officials on implementation of the stalled Gaza roadmap.