A Palestinian UN worker sentenced by Israel to seven months for aiding Hamas was released Thursday and returned to Gaza, calling his prosecution "unjust" and hoping to resume his job. Waheed Borsh, 39, arrived at his home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip and was greeted by dozens of well-wishers handing out sweets and singing songs.
Israeli forces detained Borsh, an engineer, on July 16, causing a major stir in the aid community. He was sentenced last week to seven months in prison in a plea deal, but released on the basis of time served and for good behaviour. Israel initially claimed Borsh had been recruited by Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, but it later dropped the allegation. He was convicted for "rendering services to an illegal organisation without intention", his lawyer said. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where Borsh worked, said the deal showed there had been no wrongdoing by the organisation. Speaking to AFP, Borsh said he was hopeful of returning to his job.
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