Israel Releases 200 Palestinian Prisoners in Exchange for Freedom of Four Israeli Hostages
In a significant development, Israel has released 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 121 serving life sentences, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas ¹ ². The move comes after Hamas freed four Israeli hostages, who were captured during the militant group's cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.
The four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, were released in Gaza City's Palestine Square, where they were handed over to the Red Cross. The soldiers were seen smiling and waving as they were led away, although it's reported that they were likely acting under duress ².
In exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages, Israel agreed to free 200 Palestinian prisoners, including several high-profile militants. The prisoners were released from Ofer and Ktziot prisons and were greeted by cheering crowds in Ramallah ¹.
The ceasefire deal, brokered by Egypt, aims to bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more ².
Some of the notable Palestinian prisoners released include:
- *Mohammad Odeh*, 52, and *Wael Qassim*, 54, both from east Jerusalem, who were accused of carrying out deadly Hamas attacks against Israelis ².
- *70 Palestinian prisoners* who were expelled to Egypt and may eventually be resettled in other countries, including Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkey ².
The release of the Palestinian prisoners has been welcomed by many in the region, who see it as a significant step towards peace. However, others have expressed concerns about the fate of those still in captivity, including the two youngest hostages, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, and their mother Shiri ².
The ceasefire deal is set to last for six weeks, during which time Israel is expected to pull back from the Netzarim corridor and allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza. However, the deal is fragile, and many are waiting to see if it will hold ².
blogpay
Total Comments: 0