Palestinian father freed after 25 years meets son for first time

Abdul Karim al-Rimawi, a freed Palestinian prisoner, has met his son Majd for the first time after 25 years in Israeli prisons, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting drew attention because Majd was conceived while his father was still imprisoned.

Al Jazeera reported that al-Rimawi embraced Majd after his release. Majd was born in 2013 after sperm was smuggled from prison and used in IVF treatment, the network said.

Majd had grown up without ever meeting his father, according to Al Jazeera. Their first meeting came after al-Rimawi’s long imprisonment ended.

The report did not provide further details on the circumstances of al-Rimawi’s release, the prison where he was held, or the IVF procedure beyond saying the sperm was smuggled from prison and used for treatment.

Al Jazeera published the report on June 17, 2026.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.