Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
(The Post News)– Three Israeli hostages have been released by the Palestinian group Hamas in two separate exchanges in return for 183 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. This marks the most recent phase of a progressive handover within a cease-fire agreement negotiated after 15 months of Israeli bombardment on Gaza.
On the other hand, the process of releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners commenced as soon as the Israeli hostages arrived in Israel. This marked the fourth such exchange following the cease-fire agreement signed on Jan. 19. Among these Palestinians, at least 73 had been serving life and lengthy prison sentences. Moreover, out of the 183 freed prisoners, 111 were captured by Israeli soldiers in Gaza after October 7, 2023. Seven of the prisoners were deported by Israel via Egypt.
The first bus arrived in Ramallah from Israel’s Ofer prison carrying 32 Palestinians that were met by thrilled family members. As the buses transporting prisoners arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, a massive crowd ignited in excitement.
According to reports, while approximately 4,500 Palestinian prisoners are detained in Israeli prisons, 320 of them are considered to be in “administrative detention,” which denies them the right to enter trial.
Moreover, for the first time in almost nine months, the Rafah border crossing has been opened as part of the cease-fire agreement. This enables Palestinian patients—ill and injured—to receive medical care from Egypt. On Saturday, Gaza’s health ministry stated that 50 patients had traveled through Rafah to Egypt.
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