ALWAGHT- Israel has announced the release of 200 Palestinian detainees, including senior Hamas members, in exchange for four captives freed by the resistance group as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached on Saturday.
Buses carrying 200 freed Palestinian detainees, some of whom had been serving life sentences, were welcomed by jubilant crowds in Ramallah. Among those released was Mohammed al-Tous, 69, who had been imprisoned for nearly four decades, and Raed al-Saadi, the oldest prisoner from Jenin, who had been incarcerated for 36 years. Many of the freed prisoners were hoisted by the crowd, still in their gray prison uniforms. Approximately 70 prisoners are being exiled to Egypt, where they will receive medical treatment before being sent to countries such as Algeria, Turkey, or Tunisia.
The prisoner exchange, which marks the second phase of the ceasefire deal following the truce on January 19, also involved the release of four Israeli female detainees by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the completion of the second phase of the exchange, which saw 128 Palestinians transferred to Gaza and the West Bank, while the four Israeli soldiers were handed over to Israel.
Hamas later accused Israel of stalling the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, pointing to the closure of Rashid Street and obstacles to displaced people returning home. Hamas also blamed Israel for any delays and potential consequences on future stages of the deal. Israel has released a list of more than 700 Palestinian prisoners to be freed under the deal, including more than 230 serving life sentences, many of whom will be exiled permanently. Hamas praised the release as a victory after over 14 months of intense military aggression against Gaza.
