Following the release of captives earlier today, Israel has released 110 Palestinian captives.
This comes after Israel first ordered a delay in the operation, citing chaotic scenes surrounding the hostages handover in Khan Younis.
Later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that mediators have assured that future hostages will be guaranteed a safe exit.
The office revealed that following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand, the mediators delivered a commitment that a safe exit will be guaranteed for Israeli hostages who will be released in the next rounds. “Israel insists that lessons will be learned and that in the next rounds, there will be extra care in ensuring the safe return of our hostages,” the office added.
The Israel Prison Service said in a statement that all released prisoners were “transferred from several detention facilities across the country to be absorbed in the Ofer and Ketziot prisons” before being freed.
Large crowds of jubilant people have gathered at the Ramallah Recreational Complex, where some of the released Palestinian prisoners are being brought by the Red Cross.
There are hundreds of people at the center, celebrating and eagerly anticipating the return of their loved ones.
Many of those gathered there have been chanting in support of Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades.
A smaller crowd of Fatah supporters has gathered on a hill overlooking the centre.
Zakaria al-Zubeidi, a high-profile Palestinian prisoner, is among the detainees released by Israel.
Zubeidi was seen by some reporters on a bus carrying the released detainees from Israel’s Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank.
Zubeidi is one of the best known leaders of the Palestinian uprising of 2000, known as the Second Intifada.
He was the Commander of the Jenin branch of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the militant wing of the Palestinian political party Fatah.
Zubeidi was on Israel’s list of most wanted people for years. He was arrested in 2019.
In 2021, he escaped from Gilboa prison, which lies between the Sea of Galilee in Israel and the West Bank town of Jenin, along with five other Palestinian prisoners. He was recaptured several days later.
12 Palestinians In Jerusalem Arrested For Celebrating Prisoners’ Release
Meanwhile, Israel’s police arrested 12 Palestinians in Kafr Aqab, a neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, for engaging in celebrations following the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
In a statement, the police said those arrested were “Hamas supporters who participated in supporting a released prisoner.” “According to the directives of the Commissioner General, any attempts to disturb the order or support terrorism will be dealt with firmly,” the statement added.
Israel has been clear from the outset that displays of joy and celebrations following the release of Palestinian prisoners would not be tolerated.
Today, drones were flying above the Gaza Strip dropping leaflets warning not to hold flags, banners or engage in any celebratory activity.
It is believed that many of the Palestinian prisoners released as part of this deal will also not be allowed to stay in the West Bank but will be deported to Gaza or to Egypt.
The homes of former prisoners in the West Bank have been raided by Israeli forces since their release.
Marwan Bishara, a political analyst, opined that the “last thing Israelis want is Palestinians celebrating the return of their loved ones, especially those who have been held on security charges in Israeli prisons.”
He added that this is because it “humiliates and ticks off the Israeli leaders and the Israeli public” and will infuriate the right-wing decision-makers.
He said that if one looks at some of the releases today, there are several high-profile prisoners who carry a huge political weight “within the framework of the asymmetrical war … between Israel and the Palestinians.”
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