The occupied West Bank city of Ramallah erupted in joy on Saturday afternoon as Palestinians welcomed 114 prisoners, including many serving life sentences, who were released from Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Israel released 200 prisoners on Saturday: 107 were sent to Ramallah, five to Jerusalem, one to Umm al-Fahm – a Palestinian city in Israel – and 16 to Gaza. An additional 70 prisoners were taken to Egypt, from where they will be deported to other countries.
The release of the prisoners to the West Bank took place from Ofer military prison, west of Ramallah, a few hours after Hamas freed four female soldiers as part of the second phase of captive release operations outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
Before the release of the Palestinian prisoners, Israel imposed strict measures to prevent any celebrations in the West Bank. Israeli forces raided Beitunia, the town nearest to Ofer Prison, and blocked Palestinians from approaching the area. They also raided the homes of several prisoners, warning families not to hold celebratory events.
The buses carrying the prisoners arrived in the centre of Ramallah under tight security enforced by the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, who restricted access to the buses until they reached the designated reception area. They also banned Hamas flags from being raised and confiscated them.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on
Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Released prisoners with gaunt bodies and weary faces embraced their families in tearful reunions. They spoke of how the past year in detention had been one of the hardest, marked by harsh conditions and frequent attacks by Israeli guards.
Over the past 15 months, more than 50 prisoners have died in Israeli custody.
‘Our people’s freedom’
A released prisoner, Mohammed Tabtab from Ramallah, told Middle East Eye that he felt a mixture of emotions, adding that the massive reception they received “filled their hearts with overwhelming joy”.
Tabtab, who served 13 years of a 15-and-a-half-year sentence, expressed his gratitude to the Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza, who “paid the price for their freedom with blood”.
Hamas releases four Israeli soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners
Read More »
“What we endured in prison was extremely difficult. But as soon as we saw our families, we forgot everything and felt happiness that had not touched our hearts in years,” Tabtab said.
Saeed Hermas, from Bethlehem, who was sentenced to 14 years and served nine, thanked those responsible for their release from Israel’s “unjust prisons”.
“We suffered greatly, but all of it was for the sake of our people’s freedom,” he added.
Hermas ended the brief interview, his voice weary, saying: “Please excuse me, I am ill and suffering from fractures.’”
Meanwhile, the family of Jordanian prisoner Ammar Huwaitat revealed that he refused to sign papers authorising his release to either the West Bank or Gaza, insisting on returning exclusively to his home country. Israel denied his request, and he remains in detention.
Huwaitat, who has been held in Israeli prisons since 2002, is serving a life sentence plus an additional 20 years. He has been subject to repeated assaults during his imprisonment.
