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Israel Releases Third Batch of Palestinian Prisoners Under Gaza Ceasefire Agreement


Ramallah: Israeli occupation authorities released the third batch of Palestinian detainees today as part of the prisoner exchange deal under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the released group includes 110 detainees. Among them are 32 serving life sentences, 48 with various prison terms, and 30 children. Ahead of the release, Israeli forces declared the area near Ofer Prison a closed military zone, preventing families from gathering to welcome their loved ones. Soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas at those attempting to reach the site.

Additionally, Israeli occupation forces raided the town of Beitunia, the closest town to the Ofer Prison, firing tear gas canisters at residents. At least 20 people were injured, including three by live bullets. Military bulldozers also blocked secondary roads to prevent people from reaching the prison. Meanwhile, hundreds of citizens, including families of the freed detainees, gathered at the Ramallah Recreat
ional Complex to celebrate their return.

Among those waiting for her son was Huda Abdel Rahim Jaber from the village of Haris, in the Salfit Governorate. Her son, Haitham, 51, was freed after 23 years behind bars. ‘It’s an indescribable feeling. We haven’t seen him for 15 months,’ she told WAFA, explaining that Israeli authorities had prevented family visits during the recent war on Gaza. Haitham Jaber was first detained at the age of 16 in 1991, completing his high school diploma behind bars. He was imprisoned again in 1995 for seven years and later in 2002, receiving a 28-year sentence. During his time in prison, he wrote two novels, a poetry collection, and earned degrees in journalism and history.

Hanan Awwad from the town of Idhna, west of Hebron, saw her son, Ezzedine, released after serving 11 years of a 27-year sentence. However, her husband, Ziad Awwad, remains in prison for life, having been rearrested after his release in a 2011 prisoner exchange. Another son, Hassan, is held in administrative de
tention. ‘It’s a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow,’ she said. ‘Our happiness is incomplete while Gaza bleeds.’

Tasnim Muslim from Talfit, south of Nablus, was overjoyed to see her father, Qasem, freed after 25 years of imprisonment. ‘We waited for this moment for so long. It’s painful to be deprived of a father’s embrace,’ she said. She recounted years of difficult prison visits and how the Israeli authorities denied her siblings from seeing their father.

Zakaria Zubeidi, a well-known former resistance fighter, has been imprisoned multiple times since his teenage years. He was detained in February 2019 and was serving a five-year sentence for escaping from Gilboa Prison in 2021. He has lost multiple family members, including his son, brother, and mother, who were killed by Israeli forces.

Mohammed Falaneh, 60, from Saffa village, was released after 33 years. As the longest-held prisoner from his region, he was sentenced to life in 1992. Israel refused to release him in past prisoner swaps, and during his im
prisonment, he lost his father and sister. The Israeli authorities have now exiled him from his homeland.

Sameh Shubaki, 45, was detained in 2003 and sentenced to life plus 17 years. He survived multiple assassination attempts before his capture and endured months of harsh interrogations. Despite imprisonment, he obtained degrees in history and political science. He lost his mother in 2014 while in detention.

Mohammed Abu Warda, 50, was sentenced to 48 life terms. Imprisoned since 2002, he faced prolonged interrogations and had his family home demolished. He has now been exiled, leaving behind his only son, Hamza.