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200 Palestinian prisoners released to jubilant scenes in West Bank

A total of 200 Palestinian prisoners have been released to jubilant scenes in the West Bank after Israel freed them in exchange for four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

More than half of the 200 released were serving life sentences in Israeli prisons – some of them convicted of multiple murders, including the killing of Israeli civilians. The others have not been charged with a crime.

About 70 of the most dangerous offenders were deported through Egypt to neighboring countries, including Qatar and Turkey.

A smaller number will be sent to Gaza. The remainder – just over 120 – will be allowed to return to their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Prisoners’ Service in Israel said in a statement, “After the end of the necessary activities in the prisons and the approval of the political authorities, all terrorists were released from the Al-Athein and Katuziot prisons.”

Some of the released prisoners were raised by crowds to loud cheers and fireworks after they exited the buses.

There was then a stampede as they tried to find their loved ones and family members, before being taken to a sports complex where the celebrations continued.

“Praise be to God! It’s a wonderful feeling, I can’t describe this feeling! I’ve been in prison for six years and two months,” prisoner Bakir Quayesh said after emerging from one of the buses wearing gray prison clothes.

The youngest Palestinian prisoner to be released on Saturday was 16 years old. The oldest, Mohammed Al-Toumel, was 69 years old. He has spent 39 years in prison, after being first captured in 1985 while fighting Israeli forces.

Another prisoner, Mohamed Aladar, was part of a prison break in 2021.

A total of 121 of the released prisoners were serving life sentences.

Some prisoners were held for short periods of time, and some were not charged with a crime but were held under something called administrative detention.

Saturday’s swap was the second exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19. Three hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners were released in the first exchange.

During last week’s prisoner release, there was a notable show of support for Hamas, but on Saturday, the ruling Fateh Party, which dominates the Palestinian Authority, came out in force to show their support for the prisoners.

Earlier on Saturday, Four Israeli soldiers taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023 were released from Gaza.

Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Nama Levy and Liri Albag, ages 19 and 20, were released to the Red Cross in Gaza City during a highly choreographed handover that included dozens of Hamas militants.

However, Israel accused Hamas of violating the terms of the ceasefire because female hostage Arbel Yehud was not included in Saturday’s release.

Israel said it would delay the planned return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, while Hamas insisted that the hostages would be released at the end of next week.

The January ceasefire deal stopped the war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken to Gaza hostage.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 47,200 Palestinians, the majority civilians, have been killed in Israel’s offensive.

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2025-01-25 16:39:00

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