Syrian Captive Sham Shams Released after 13 Years in Zionist Occupation Jails

QUNEITRA, (ST)-The Israeli occupation authorities yesterday released the Syrian captive Sham Kamal Shams after spending 13 years in the Israeli jails for his national stances and resistance against occupation.

The Liberated captive, who is from the occupied Syrian Golan village of Beq’ata, received a big popular welcome upon his arrival at his home village.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Committee for Supporting Liberated and Detained Syrian Prisoners in the Israeli Jails hailed Shams’ honorable stances in rejection of occupation and in adherence to his homeland, Syria.

“Long years of captivity couldn’t weaken the will of Shams and other Syrian prisoners; rather they strengthened their steadfastness and determination to keep adherent to national principles and defiant to the Israeli occupation’s oppressive policies,” the Committee said.

Head of the Committee, liberated prisoner Ali al-Younis, said “the administration of the Israeli occupation jails keeps committing violations and provocations against the Syrian prisoners as to break their will and steadfastness.” 

The state news agency SANA interviewed some people who took part in the reception ceremony of Syrian captive.

Journalist and researcher Sameer Abou Saleh from the occupied Golan town of Majdal Shams said “releasing captive Shams indicates the victory of the will of steadfastness over the terrorism of the Zionist jailer.” 

Director of the Hayat Fund to Support Syria’s Children in Russia Majed Sha’lan, from occupied Ein Qinieh village, highlighted the steadfastness of the people of the occupied Syrian Golan villages despite the Zionist entity’s incessant attempts, since its usurpation of Golan, to turn every single house in occupied Golan into a small prison.

Isam Sha’lan, an official at the municipality of occupied Golan, said “the inhuman policies adopted by the Israeli occupation against Syrian detainees and prisoners violate the simplest international laws and conventions that have guaranteed suitable humanitarian treatment of prisoners.”

Hamda Mustafa