Oldest Egyptian prisoner in Israel freed

The oldest Egyptian prisoner in Israel, Mahmoud El-Sawareka, has asserted following his release and arrival in Rafah on Thursday that he will stay as a soldier and "will fight Israel once again" if he has the chance to do so.

In statements to the Egyptian press released on Thursday, El-Sawareka spoke about the severe torture he underwent at the hands of the Israelis during 23 years of imprisonment. He said the Israelis let dogs bite him and that Israeli soldiers broke his bones and burned his skin in order to persuade him to give them information about his colleagues, but he said he did not give any information.

El-Sawarka said in a press conference that he refused an Israeli offer to free him 18 months ago in return for the release of convicted Israeli spy Azam Azam who is jailed in Egypt.

He also said the Israelis performed surgery on him without anesthetization due to which his health deteriorated.