Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the scenes from Gaza on Thursday, saying, "The images coming from Gaza confirm that what has happened so far was not a complete victory but a complete failure." 

Ben Gvir further stated that "this prisoner exchange deal is unprecedented, and the Israeli government has chosen the path of submission," referring to the concessions made by the regime to secure the release of Israeli captives.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated that "the images from Gaza prove that we must separate from it forever." Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also expressed concern, saying, "We are worried about the price we are paying for this deal, despite our joy at the return of the hostages."

These remarks came after footage showed large crowds gathering in Jabalia in northern Gaza and Khan Younis in the south, particularly near the home of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as the Israeli captives were handed over.

Al Mayadeen correspondent stated that Palestinian citizens were seen waving resistance flags and carrying images of martyred Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi amid the crowds in Khan Younis.

Gaza to continue Resistance

In a statement, Hamas revealed that the decision to release Israeli captives from different areas of the Strip was meant to send "a message to the world that our people remain steadfast and will continue the resistance."

Related News

US politics polarization: How Gaza garnered Mamdani his win

IRGC reveals new details on Haniyeh assassination and Iran’s response

The movement further emphasized that "the areas destroyed by the occupation, where life was wiped out, are today witnessing one of the moments of victory for our people and our resistance." The statement also highlighted that "today's event confirms the unity of al-Qassam Brigades, al-Quds Brigades, and the resistance factions in the field and in managing the exchange process."

As part of the prisoner swap, the Resistance released three Israeli captives in the third round of the first phase of the Al-Aqsa Flood prisoner exchange deal, in addition to five Thai nationals.

Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, and Gadi Mozes were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Thai nationals Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak were also released as part of the exchange process.

'Israel' to release 110 Palestinian prisoners, detainees

Israeli occupation authorities are set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Thursday in exchange for the release of three Israeli captives in Gaza, as part of the prisoner exchanges stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS).

The PPS detailed in its statement that 32 are serving life sentences, 48 have received varying prison terms, and 30 are minors.

The statement noted that the freed prisoners and detainees are expected to arrive in Ramallah, while 20 of them will be deported to outside Palestinian territory, similar to previous releases.

Since the start of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between "Israel" and Hamas on January 19, seven Israeli women have been released in exchange for 290 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli prisons.

On January 20, during the first round of exchanges—carried out on the first day of the agreement’s implementation—the Palestinian Resistance handed over three Israeli female captives in exchange for the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including women and children, from Israeli prisons.

Similarly, on January 25, the occupation released 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the second round of the exchange process, as announced by the Israeli Prison Service.