Conflict

Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal: 90 jailed Palestinians return home amid emotional celebrations

A Palestinian prisoner reaches to her place after being freed from Israeli jail. [Photo: X/ walidmahmodrouk]

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners early Monday as part of the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire agreement. This came shortly after three Israeli women captives were released from Gaza.

The detainees, including 69 women and 21 teenage boys – some as young as 12 – were greeted by large crowds of relatives, friends, and supporters in Ramallah, the occupied West Bank. The prisoners arrived at about 1am local time (23:00 GMT) on Red Cross buses, despite Israeli forces warning against public celebrations. The emotional homecoming saw crowds carrying flags of various Palestinian factions, such as Fatah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad.

Among the released was Khalida Jarrar, 62, a senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). She had been held under administrative detention, which allows indefinite imprisonment without charges or trial. Thousands gathered to celebrate, lifting released prisoners onto their shoulders amid chanting and whistling.

This exchange follows the release of three Israeli hostages from Gaza and is part of a broader agreement where Hamas will gradually release 33 Israeli hostages over the coming weeks in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.

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