Izrael zwolnił ponad setkę Palestyńczyków, w tym terrorystów

Hamas confirmed that the prisoners have been released and are being transported to Ramallah in the West Bank. Two buses carrying the released prisoners entered the city, greeted by crowds of Palestinians – reports AFP. The Red Cross facilitated the exchange.

Among the released prisoners were 32 serving life sentences and 48 serving long-term sentences, as well as 30 minors, with the youngest being 15 years old. 29 of the released will be deported outside of Palestinian territories, as according to the agreement, those convicted of killing Israelis cannot remain there. Additionally, 66 former prisoners will stay in the West Bank, and 15 in East Jerusalem.

One of the most well-known prisoners released on Thursday is Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Jenin. The group is considered a terrorist organization in the West. Zubeidi is seen by many Palestinians as a hero of the resistance against Israelis and the second intifada – the anti-Israeli uprising that lasted from 2000 to 2005. He was convicted for organizing terrorist attacks that resulted in fatalities.

On Thursday morning, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a total of eight individuals: three Israeli hostages abducted on October 7, 2023, and five Thai nationals also kidnapped at that time.

During the handover of the seven to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, crowds of Palestinians gathered and surrounded the captives, escorted by masked fighters, shouting at them.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protested against the treatment of the hostages and temporarily halted the release of prisoners. The Palestinians were only released after Israeli authorities received assurances that greater security would be provided during future exchanges.

Following the announcement of the delay in the exchange near the Ofer prison in the West Bank from where the inmates were eventually released, clashes occurred between the gathered Palestinians and Israeli security forces – reported CNN. The Israeli military also increased its presence in the West Bank, conducted „preventative arrests,” and distributed leaflets calling for restraint in celebrating the return of the released prisoners – according to the Times of Israel.

The third exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners on Thursday was the third one conducted within the framework of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza that came into effect on January 19. The agreement stipulates that in the first phase of the ceasefire that will last until early March, a total of 33 hostages will be exchanged for around 1900 Palestinian prisoners. Prior to Thursday, seven hostages were released for 290 inmates.
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