Jubilant Crowds Welcome Release of Palestinian Detainees in Historic Prisoner Exchange
In the early hours of Monday, shortly after 1:30 a.m., a jubilant crowd erupted in cheers as buses carrying dozens of Palestinian detainees released from Israel’s Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank passed by. This marked the first phase of a prisoner exchange under the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas,following the release of three Israeli hostages held in Gaza.The Israeli Prison Service confirmed the release of 90 Palestinian detainees, predominantly women and children, as part of the deal. Hundreds of people gathered along the road in Beitunia, leading to Ramallah—the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority—waving Palestinian flags and those of various political movements, including Hamas. Fireworks lit up the night sky as the crowd chanted, “The people want the al-Qassam Brigades,” referring to Hamas’s armed wing.
Onboard the buses, members of the International Committee of the Red cross (ICRC) were visible, alongside released detainees who smiled and waved to the cheering crowd. Among those freed was Khalida Jarrar, a prominent figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Marxist movement designated as a “terrorist institution” by Israel, the United States, and the European Union. Also released were two sisters of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas leader killed in a strike attributed to Israel in Beirut earlier this year.
Together, other prisoners were released and taken by Israeli authorities to their homes in Jerusalem. This exchange is part of a broader truce agreement aimed at ending the 15-month-long war triggered by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel. the deal outlines a series of prisoner swaps, with the ultimate goal of releasing 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The next exchange is expected to take place on Saturday evening, signaling a potential step toward de-escalation in the region.
Key Points of the Prisoner Exchange
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Date of Release | Monday, shortly after 1:30 a.m. (11:30 p.m.GMT Sunday) |
| number Released | 90 Palestinian detainees,mostly women and children |
| Location | Ofer prison,occupied West Bank |
| Next Exchange | scheduled for Saturday evening |
| Total Goal | 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza exchanged for ~1,900 Palestinian prisoners |
This historic exchange has sparked hope for a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict,though challenges remain. As the region watches closely, the next phase of the truce agreement will be critical in determining its success.
For more updates on the evolving situation, stay tuned to our coverage.
