A significant moment unfolded as Palestinian prisoners were welcomed in Ramallah, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu celebrated the return of three Israeli hostages freed from Gaza.
On Thursday, a significant moment unfolded as Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel, with their arrival in Ramallah marking the latest chapter in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Two buses carrying the prisoners entered the West Bank city to a warm welcome, as large crowds gathered, waving flags and chanting slogans.
The families, many of whom had waited for years, broke into tears as they reunited with their loved ones. While the joy of reunion was palpable, there was also a deep sense of frustration, as relatives expressed sorrow over the ongoing violence and division between Israel and Hamas.
Samah Abed, a relative of one of the freed prisoners, described the moment as a “mix of joy and pain,” underscoring the complexity of emotions that defined the day.
The release of 110 Palestinian detainees was part of a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner-hostage exchange deal brokered with Hamas.
This agreement, which took effect on January 19, is unfolding in stages, with Israel releasing Palestinian detainees in exchange for Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
The released prisoners had been detained across various Israeli prisons, including Ofer Prison in the West Bank.
Among the released were 66 individuals transported to Ramallah, 15 to East Jerusalem, and 29 prisoners, convicted of involvement in attacks against Israelis, who were deported to Egypt and other countries.
One of the high-profile figures among the released prisoners was Zakaria Zubeidi, a former commander of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, who was photographed making a V-sign from the bus as a symbol of defiance.
Despite his release, Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet, had issued a stern warning that Zubeidi would be “eliminated” if he resumed militant activities.
Israeli authorities had initially delayed the release by several hours, reportedly due to concerns over the chaotic scenes witnessed during Hamas’ earlier release of several Israeli hostages.
In a parallel development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the return of three Israeli hostages—Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, and Gadi Moses—who were freed from Gaza on the same day. Netanyahu expressed his relief and pride in their safe return, stating, “The entire State of Israel embraces you.”
However, the Prime Minister also took the opportunity to criticise Hamas for the chaotic nature of the hostages’ release, which he deemed a violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu stated that Israel would not tolerate any risk to the safety of hostages, adding that those who threaten the hostages would “pay the price.”
Along with the three Israelis, five Thai nationals were also released from Gaza. The Thai nationals—Pongsak Thanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, and Surasak Lamnao—had been detained since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
Their release was part of the broader negotiations involving Qatar and Egypt as mediators.
The latest developments reflect the ongoing and fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement, which is set to unfold in three stages, each lasting 42 days.
The first stage involves the gradual release of 33 Israelis, both living prisoners and the remains of deceased individuals, in exchange for between 1,700 and 2,000 Palestinian and Arab detainees.
This exchange comes amid mounting concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 11,000 individuals remain missing, and widespread destruction has left the region in a state of devastation.
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