Israel has freed Taysir Abu Sneineh, mayor of Hebron city — known to Palestinians as Al Khalil — after nearly eight months in harsh detention. He appeared visibly exhausted and underweight upon his release.

The 71-year-old showed signs of physical deterioration, with a pale face and noticeable weight loss, indicating a decline in his condition during detention, footage of his release showed on Thursday.

Family members and friends received Abu Sneineh at an Israeli checkpoint before he was taken to his home in the occupied West Bank’s southern city.

Israeli forces had abducted Abu Sneineh last September during a wide-ranging campaign of raids and harassment across several West Bank areas.

At the time, the Hebron Municipality said Israeli forces stormed his home with a large military force, damaging property before seizing him.

More than 9,600 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, including women and children, facing torture, starvation and medical neglect that has killed dozens, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups.