Israel has released 183 Palestinian captives, as Hamas condemns ‘torture, abuse’
Two organizations advocating for Palestinian prisoners' rights have reported that Israel has freed 183 Palestinian detainees in exchange for three Israeli captives. This exchange marks the fourth prisoner swap conducted under the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs alongside the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) announced that Israeli authorities have freed a total of 183 detainees. The release includes 111 individuals from the Gaza Strip, who were apprehended in the aftermath of the Israeli military’s extensive operation in the besieged region on October 7, 2023.
According to Palestinian prisoners’ advocacy groups, a total of 72 Palestinian detainees were freed today from Israeli custody, including 18 individuals who had been serving life sentences and 54 others who were serving long-term sentences.
In a recent development, Israeli authorities have designated the vicinity around Ofer Prison, located in the occupied West Bank, as a closed military zone in anticipation of a scheduled prisoner release. This move effectively bars families from assembling in the area to receive and celebrate the return of their relatives.
Israeli forces deployed sound bombs to disperse a crowd in the city of Ramallah, where hundreds of local residents and families of detainees had assembled to welcome released prisoners amidst a display of Palestinian flags.
Buses transporting the recently released Palestinian prisoners have arrived in Khan Yunis, located in southern Gaza, creating an atmosphere of jubilation.
In a heartwarming scene, individuals were observed waving Palestinian flags and engaging in conversations with their relatives as they disembarked from buses, marking a moment of family reunification.
Hamas has announced that a significant number of recently released Palestinian prisoners are showing evidence of torture and abuse. The group stated that these individuals are presently undergoing medical treatment at healthcare facilities in Gaza.
In a recent statement, it was asserted that the Israeli authorities’ treatment of prisoners is characterized by severe harshness, disregarding fundamental human values and international legal standards concerning the treatment of detainees.
The group has called on the international community, notably the United Nations and human rights organizations, to take action against Israel for what it describes as “horrific and ongoing violations,” which it claims amount to “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Earlier today, Hamas transferred three additional Israeli hostages to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of an arrangement that will see the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners subsequently.
In a coordinated event on Saturday, two hostages were freed in the southern city of Khan Yunis, witnessed by a small group of observers. Meanwhile, a third individual was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross later in the day in Gaza City, located in the northern region.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, aims to conclude the 15-month Israeli conflict in Gaza and secure the release of captives held in the besieged region in exchange for the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Israel has unveiled a comprehensive list comprising over 700 Palestinian inmates slated for release as part of a recent agreement. Among those set to be freed, more than 230 are serving life sentences and will face permanent exile following their release.
