18-year-old Palestinian boy with autism freed after brutal Israeli detention

An 18-year-old Palestinian boy with autism was released by the occupation forces under the recent prison exchange deal. The young boy, Omar Yahya Al-Qarinawi, had been shot and detained by the Israeli army in central Gaza.

Al-Qarinawi was finally reunited with his family after enduring one of the most brutal ordeals at the hands of the occupation army. He was shot while waiting for aid at a distribution camp near the Netzarim axis.

Following his release, Al-Qarinawi was transferred to Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for medical care.

🇵🇸 Omar Yahya Al-Qarinawi, un adolescent autiste de Gaza, a été libéré par les autorités israéliennes après plusieurs mois de détention illégale. pic.twitter.com/zDil1yBcJ4

— The NEWS (@news_and_truth) October 12, 2025

As part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Hamas handed over seven Israeli hostages, while hundreds of Palestinian detainees were released by Israel.

In Gaza, scenes of overwhelming emotion unfolded as families embraced their loved ones, shedding tears of both joy and grief after months of brutal Israeli detention. For many, it was the first time in a long while that hope felt real.

Under the initial stage of the Gaza peace plan, Hamas is set to free 200 Israeli hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinians whom Israel agreed to release during negotiations held last week in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh.