Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli forces intend to deport detainee Hamad Musallam Musa Abu Omra to an unspecified country, according to The Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs of the de facto government in Gaza on Tuesday.

Rayed Al-Ashqar, director of the information services of the Gaza government said in a statement that Abu Omra, from Der Al-Balah in Gaza, was detained in 2003 whilst traveling on a ship from Lebanon to Palestine, was accused of smuggling military equipment into Gaza and sentenced to six years in prison.

Abu Omra was released in February upon completion of his sentence, the statement added, but was detained by Israeli intelligence during his return to Gaza through the Erez crossing. He was then transferred to Ramon prison and was informed of his impending deportation. Al-Ashqar said the decision was reported to the International Red Cross.

Al-Ashqar further added that Israeli authorities deny that Abu Omra has an identity card number, despite Abu Omra being in possession of a Palestinian ID card. Abu Omra’s wife and children remain in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, where he used to reside.

The statement further pointed out that Israel’s deportation policy is a violation of Article 147 in accordance with the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Convention that deems deportation a “war crime,” it was said.

The Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs appealed to human rights organizations to immediately intervene and put an end for the Israeli deportation policy.