Freed Palestinian prisoner Karim Younis told Al Mayadeen that "the Palestinian cause is on the right track," calling for "the adoption of true partnership between all Palestinian factions, so that we may be united in confronting the occupation."

Karim Younis, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli prison, was freed on January 5, 2023, 40 years after he was first arrested in January 1983 at the age of 23.

Read more: Ben-Gvir says Palestinian flag symbol of terrorism, orders removal

Younis stressed that the "Palestinian people are capable of mobilizing themselves, restoring everything, and achieving their goal of establishing their independent, fully sovereign state, with Al-Quds as its capital."

Freed #Palestinian Prisoner #KarimYounis talks to #AlMayadeen about how divisions in #Palestine are only benefiting the Israeli occupation with its new extremist government. @wafasarayaaridi pic.twitter.com/PhtjhX7KrZ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2023

"The prisoners consider themselves part of the Palestinian people and their struggle part of the people's struggle," he said, adding, "We are proud of our people's embrace of the prisoners' cause."

"I left the prisoners united, preparing to confront the fascist racist Itamar Ben-Gvir, and they, through their unity, are able to achieve their goals," Younis confirmed.

Speaking to #AlMayadeen, Freed #Palestinian prisoner #KarimYounis affirms that he will never forget his fellow Palestinian prisoners. @wafasarayaaridi pic.twitter.com/Sh3VIKuON7

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2023

Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced earlier that he was proceeding with his plan to adopt a law imposing the death penalty on prisoners accused of killing occupation settlers or attempting to kill them and revealed that he had visited Nafha prison, which is considered one of the most severe and cruel Israeli prisons.

Read more: Prisoners set to confront Ben-Gvir threats: Freed prisoner Younis

With regard to the period of his imprisonment, Younis said, "I saw in prison many parents who left their children as children, and returned to meet them as young men, such as the two prisoners Fakhri Barghouti and Abdel Basset Shawabkeh."

"Our consolation is that our people everywhere are facing this colonial occupation and resisting it," he added.

"We are proud of our people and their struggle."

Freed #Palestinian Prisoner #KarimYounis recalls how his fellow Palestinian prisoners were forced to leave their children and experience life with them only from behind Israeli bars.@wafasarayaaridi pic.twitter.com/tDRfE39EBS

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2023

The freed prisoner continued, "The occupation wanted us to be killed in prisons, to change, to lose belief in our cause and our leadership, and to become a burden on our families, but we, the prisoners, have turned prisons into academies and schools."

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"I am fortunate that I was born to a father who taught me the path of Resistance and to a mother who was the ambassador of all the prisoners," Younis said, adding, "But when I got out, she was already gone."

Younis recalled that his mother visited him 700 times throughout the period of his captivity, during which he moved between all Israeli detention centers.

Immediately upon his release from Israeli occupation prisons earlier this month, Karim Younis told Al Mayadeen that his "mother was the ambassador of all prisoners and she bore responsibilities beyond her capacity."

"When I got out, she was already gone."
After 40 years in Israeli prisons, #KarimYounis, the freed #Palestinian prisoner, did not get to see his mother.
Today, he shares his longing for his deceased mother. @wafasarayaaridi pic.twitter.com/46rqv4faua

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 12, 2023

"Today I am moving freely without police supervision, and I am trying to embody my freedom in all its human meanings."

Younis' mom died while he was in prison. Since he was captured in 1983, Sabiha Younis long waited for her son until she passed away just months before he attained his freedom.

Younis chose his mother's grave as his first destination following his freedom.

Speaking from the cemetery in the town of 'Ara, Younis said, "My mother chose to see me from the heavens as a freedom fighter, and my father and mother drew me a road map and inspired me in the journey of Resistance."

A 40-year-old dream that was never fulfilled.
Mother of #Palestinian prisoner Karim Younes hoped to embrace her son one last time outside of occupation prisons, but passed away before getting the chance.
Her son will be released in a few months following 40 years of imprisonment. pic.twitter.com/JXJjdzo8a1

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 5, 2022