‘Free from grave after 23 years…’, 200 prisoners released from Israeli jail, narrated ordeal – Israeli jail 200 Palestinian prisoners released narrated ordeal Free from grave after 23 years ntc
Israeli authorities released 200 Palestinian prisoners in the second phase of the swap agreement with Hamas. Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, said that these prisoners were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Of the released prisoners, 114 were released from Ofer prison in the West Bank. 16 were taken to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, and 70 were flown to Egypt. Palestinian authorities in Ramallah Governorate coordinated the release process.
According to the Palestinian Authority for Prisoners’ Affairs, of the 200 prisoners released, 121 were serving life sentences and 79 others were given longer sentences.
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Released prisoner Riyad Arafat said that prisoners are suffering a lot in Israeli prisons. We were beaten every morning and evening. Food is not provided. I lost 15 kg weight. But all this is for freedom and Palestine.
Prisoner Ehab al-Sharafa said that my emotions are unbelievable, it still feels like I am in a dream. I thank God for coming out of this grave after 23 years.
Armistice agreement reached between Israel and Hamas
Israel has promised to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas. Officials estimate that under this arrangement, four hostages will be released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire, struck by Qatar and Egypt with US support, is the first sustained pause in fighting since a brief ceasefire in November 2023. During this phase, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Further talks will focus on freeing the remaining hostages and potentially withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza.
Netanyahu’s allies left as the ceasefire came into force
After the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza, three allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have resigned from the cabinet. He was a member of the far-right party Otzma Yehudit Party. In a statement from the party, it has been said that his party will no longer be a part of the government. The leader of this party, Itamar Ben Gvir, was the Minister of National Security in the Netanyahu government.
