Palestinians Celebrate as Israel Frees Nearly 2,000 Prisoners in Landmark Ceasefire Deal

World

Palestinians took to the streets in celebration on Monday as Israel began releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under a landmark ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Hamas in Gaza.

Hundreds of people gathered in Beitunia, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, cheering and waving flags as two buses carrying freed detainees arrived. The released men, many with shaved heads, stepped off the buses to chants and applause — some raising V-for-victory signs, others embraced by relatives after years behind bars.

“It was an indescribable journey of suffering — hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses — more than anything you could imagine,” said Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old Fatah member from Tulkarem, who said he lost 59 kilograms (139 pounds) during his imprisonment.

His niece, Farah Abu Shanab, described their shock at his frail appearance: “We don’t recognize him. He’s not the person we knew. Our uncle doesn’t look like our uncle.”

The release marks a profound moment for both sides. For Israelis, it is deeply painful — as many of those freed were convicted in deadly attacks targeting civilians and soldiers. For Palestinians, it represents an emotional and political victory, as the issue of prisoners remains central to their national identity and struggle. Nearly every Palestinian family has been affected by Israeli detentions, especially of young men.

According to Israel’s Justice Ministry, those released include 250 Palestinians serving sentences, most convicted of murder or terrorism in attacks dating back decades, as well as around 1,700 detainees held without charge — many of whom were seized from Gaza during the two-year war.

The longest-serving among them has spent nearly 40 years in Israeli prisons.

Both sides have sought to tightly control the optics of the exchange, mindful of the political sensitivities involved.

The ceasefire and prisoner swap come amid growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left the enclave in ruins.

(Source: Associated Press)