Israeli hostages, Palestinian inmates embrace freedom
JERUSALEM—Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on Monday after Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages, completing the first exchange under a long-awaited truce aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in Gaza.
The three hostages released on Sunday, all women, were reunited with their families and taken to hospital in central Israel where a doctor said they were in stable condition.
Hours later in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in exchange left Ofer prison on buses at around 1:00 am (2300 GMT Sunday), with jubilant crowds celebrating their arrival in the nearby town of Beitunia.
As the ceasefire took effect on Sunday morning, thousands of displaced, war-weary Palestinians set off across the devastated Gaza Strip to return home.
In the northern area of Jabalia, hundreds streamed down a sandy path, heading to an apocalyptic landscape piled with rubble and destroyed buildings.
“We are finally in our home. There is no home left, just rubble, but it’s our home,” said Rana Mohsen, 43, back in Jabalia.
The initial 42-day truce was brokered by Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators.
It is meant to enable a surge of sorely needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, as more Israeli hostages are released in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody, Israeli forces leave some areas and the parties negotiate the terms of a permanent ceasefire.
‘Finally home’
The three Israeli ex-hostages, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, were taken back to Israel by security forces after Hamas fighters handed them over to the Red Cross in a bustling square in Gaza City, surrounded by a sea of people, including gunmen.
“After 471 days Emily is finally home,” said her mother Mandy Damari, but “for too many other families the impossible wait continues.”
Steinbrecher’s family said in a statement that “our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today.”
During this initial truce, 33 Israeli hostages, 31 of whom were taken by militants during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, are due to be returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians.
Of those, more than 230 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis are slated for deportation, according to a list made public by the Israeli authorities. Two Hamas officials said the prisoners would be deported to Qatar or Turkey.
The Israel Prison Service confirmed the release of 90 prisoners early Monday.22
Cheering, chanting
2In Beitunia, near Ofer prison, crowds cheered and chanted as buses carrying the freed inmates arrived, with some climbing atop the lead bus and unfurling a Hamas flag.
The next hostage-prisoner swap would be on Saturday, a senior Hamas official said.
Minutes after the truce began, the United Nations said the first trucks carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid had entered the Palestinian territory.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the truce, saying “it is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid.”
The truce is intended to pave the way for a permanent end to the war, but a second phase has yet to be finalized.
The World Health Organization said it was ready to pour aid into Gaza but that it would need “systematic access” across the territory to do so.
Another UN agency, the World Food Program, said it was moving full throttle to get food to as many Gazans as possible.
The truce took effect on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term as US president.
In December, Trump warned that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if a deal was not reached before his inauguration.
He also said on US television network NBC that he had told Netanyahu the war “has to end.”
