Synopsis
On January 31, two buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah. Families gathered joyfully to welcome their loved ones, amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict. A total of 110 detainees were freed as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, with further exchanges expected soon.Key Takeaways
- Two buses transported 110 Palestinian prisoners to Ramallah.
- Families reunited with released detainees amid emotional scenes.
- The release was part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
- 29 detainees are set to be deported to Egypt and other countries.
- Further exchanges of prisoners are anticipated soon.
Ramallah/Jerusalem, Jan 31 (NationPress) Two buses transporting Palestinian prisoners released by Israel made their way to Ramallah, located in the West Bank, as reported by Palestinian sources.
On Thursday, large crowds gathered to greet them, joyfully chanting slogans and waving flags in a show of celebration.
The families of the freed prisoners awaited nervously outside the reception area, with many bursting into tears upon reuniting with their loved ones.
"This is a moment of both joy and pain," said Samah Abed, a relative of one of the prisoners, conveying relief at the release yet expressing frustration over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
An Israeli security official, who spoke to Xinhua under the condition of anonymity, revealed that Israel had finalized the release of 110 Palestinian detainees earlier on Thursday as part of a ceasefire and prisoner-hostage exchange agreement with Hamas that commenced on January 19.
Buses ferried approximately 66 Palestinian detainees from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank to Ramallah and 15 others to a detention center in East Jerusalem, where they were released. An official stated that a total of 29 prisoners convicted of involvement in attacks against Israelis would be deported to Egypt and other nations.
A photo circulating on social media captured Zakaria Zubeidi, a notable prisoner and former commander of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Jenin, West Bank, flashing a V-sign from a bus.
Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that prior to his release, Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency cautioned him that he would be "eliminated" if he resumed militant activities.
The release faced a delay of approximately three hours due to instructions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who expressed anger over the "chaotic" scenes during Hamas' earlier release of several Israeli hostages in Gaza.
A further exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is anticipated on Saturday, as stated by Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari during a press briefing.
The initial phase of the agreement, which comprises three stages lasting 42 days each, stipulates the gradual release of 33 Israelis — both living prisoners and the remains of the deceased — in return for between 1,700 and 2,000 Palestinian and Arab detainees.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 11,000 people reported missing, leading to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has tragically affected many elderly individuals and children, marking one of the most severe global humanitarian disasters.
