Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh has phoned Yahya Mohammed Darwish, 45, after being released by the Israeli occupation authorities.

Darwish served 19 years in the Israeli prisons for his involvement in the freedom struggle against the Israeli occupation.

The Hamas chief congratulated the free detainee on embracing freedom after a difficult time in Israeli jails.

Haniyeh noted that the circumstances inside the Israeli prison are difficult are not in line with prisoners’ rights guaranteed by international conventions.

He also reiterated that Hamas is committed to the issue of the Palestinian refugees and the movement places this issue on top of its agenda.