Israel releases 12-year-old Palestinian child prisoner

Israeli authorities released on Sunday 12-year-old Dima Al-Wawi, the youngest prisoner in Israeli jails, after serving a sentence of four and a half months.

Eassa Qaraqe', Head of Palestine Liberation Organization Detainees Affairs Commission, told Xinhua that Israeli authorities released Al-Wawi near the Jbara military crossing, beside the West Bank city of Tulkarem, and that she headed to her hometown close to Hebron, southern West Bank, Xinhua reported.

Qaraqe's said Al-Wawi is "a witness of Israeli crimes against children," accusing Israel of being the only state which has legalized the arrest of children and minors, "breaching all laws and legislation."

The weary and obviously frightened Al-Wawi was warmly welcomed by her family members and Palestinian officials.

In Israel, the country's prison service confirm the release, yet has declined to comment on the move.

Israeli forces arrested the 12-year-old child on February 9 in her school uniform after checking her and discovering a knife in her possession.

Israeli military court subsequently sentenced Al-Wawi to four and a half months in jail and fined her 2,000 U.S. dollars.

Over 400 Palestinian children are currently detained in Israeli jails, according the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

--IANS

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