Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released by Israel, greeted with tears and joy by families in Gaza and the West Bank.
The release, part of a broader exchange agreement, saw emotional reunions as freed individuals returned home, many visibly frail after months or years in detention.
Details of the Exchange
The release included around 250 prisoners convicted of serious offenses, such as murder, and approximately 1,700 detainees from Gaza held without charges.
In exchange, 20 Israeli hostages and the remains of four deceased hostages were freed by Hamas. The swap marks the first phase of a peace initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
In Ramallah, freed prisoners stepped off Red Cross buses, some wearing traditional Keffiyeh scarves, though many appeared weakened and struggled to walk.
Approximately 100 were released into the West Bank, with others slated for deportation or relocation to East Jerusalem.
Family Reunions and Mixed Emotions
In Gaza, families gathered at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, awaiting loved ones at a specially set-up field hospital. Muhammad Dawood, 50, described the moment as a “national celebration,” despite the backdrop of war’s toll.
He awaited his son, detained at a checkpoint, calling the release a rare moment of happiness. Khalil Abdulrahman, also waiting for his son, expressed a mix of joy and sorrow, noting delays that kept families on edge.
In Ramallah, Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulances stood ready to treat any injured returnees. Volunteer nurse Ibrahim Ifani, 23, observed the families’ emotional silence, reflecting the depth of their feelings. “This is a profound moment for all Palestinians,” he said.
Allegations of Mistreatment
Family members and medics in Ramallah reported that some freed prisoners showed signs of recent physical abuse.
Aya Shreiteh, 26, from a Palestinian prisoners’ advocacy group, claimed many endured starvation and beatings, leaving them physically frail.
“Their rights were violated in severe ways,” she said, though she added that the release offered hope for justice. These claims could not be independently verified, but concerns about prison conditions have been raised previously.
Efforts to Avoid Public Displays
Israel sought to prevent celebratory scenes in Ramallah, wary of past exchanges where crowds displayed Hamas flags.
Many families, cautioned by the Israeli military, avoided speaking to the media. Despite this, the reunions carried deep emotional weight, with communities marking the occasion as a significant step toward peace.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The exchange is part of a peace plan to end the Gaza conflict, which began with the October 2023 attacks that killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage.
Israel’s military response has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health authorities. A ceasefire began recently, with negotiations expected to advance further phases of the peace initiative.
