Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denied that overcrowding in Israeli prisons was the reason for the release of detained Palestinians. The Israeli military announced that due to a “shortage of space in the prisons”, some “administrative detainees” were released early to make room for those deemed a higher threat. But Mr Ben-Gvir said Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, released the detainees as a “gesture” before the start of Ramadan.
