200 Palestinian prisoners freed in defiance of Israeli intransigence
5 Min Read
The Israeli Prison Service has announced the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.
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Former Palestinian prisoners released by "Israel" gesture as they ride in one of the buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as it moves in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on January 25, 2025. (AFP)
200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released today, Saturday, in the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal, the Israeli Prison Service announced.
According to the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission and the Palestinian Prisoners Society, the second batch comprised 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees with life sentences and long prison terms.
Three buses carrying the Palestinian prisoners and detainees liberated by the Resistance arrived in the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, where a huge public reception was held for them.
Three busses transporting 114 liberated Palestinian detainees have arrived at #Ramallah in the occupied #WestBank.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 25, 2025
Al Mayadeen's correspondent Nisrine Selmi reports on more details.#GazaPrevailsAgainstGenocide#غزة_تهزم_الإبادة https://t.co/sNhShBojMV
Liberated Palestinian prisoners have returned to their families' embrace during the second prisoner-captive exchange operation since the ceasefire.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 25, 2025
Under the #GazaCeasefire agreement, the first phase of the three-stage deal is set to last six weeks, with 33 Israeli captives… pic.twitter.com/eFtXCuWlSk
Among the freed prisoners was Mohammad al-Arida, one of the heroes of Operation Freedom Tunnel, as well as Iyad Jaradat who took part in the operation.
The longest-serving among the Jenin prisoners, Raed al-Saadi, who spent 36 years in the occupation prisons as part of his term of two life sentences and 20 years, and Thabet al-Mardawi, who was accused of digging a tunnel in the Shatta prison and attempting to break out, were also released.
Mother of prisoner Mohammad al-Mallah, imprisoned since 1994, saluted the "revolutionaries" for the liberation of her son.#Ramallah#GazaPrevailsAgainstGenocide#غزة_تهزم_الإبادة https://t.co/eeyw2Jel7K
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 25, 2025
Today's exchange also saw the release of prisoner Houssam Abed, who was serving three life sentences and 55 and a half years.
Meanwhile, crowds in Ramallah carried the freed prisoners on their shoulders and waved the victory sign, while the prisoners and detainees thanked the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, which was the reason behind their release.
Gaza receives 16 released detainees
In conjunction with the arrival of the buses of the released prisoners and detainees to the West Bank, 16 arrived at the Gaza European Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, where crowds of people gathered to receive them and chanted for the Resistance.
Upon seeing this, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza said, "For the first time since October 7 in the Strip, we hear the sounds of ululations upon the return of the released detainees."
Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees set to be deported outside Palestine arrived at the Rafah crossing on their way to Egypt.
Two buses entered Egyptian territory carrying 70 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences after their release.
Earlier, a senior Palestinian official informed Al Mayadeen that Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkiye are ready to receive Palestinian detainees who were released on the condition of deportation outside Palestine, however, they must first travel to Egypt.
According to Reuters, citing Palestinian officials, around 70 have been deported to Egypt, another 16 were sent to Gaza, while the remaining detainees will be released to the occupied West Bank.
Gaza; a model for global liberation
A number of released prisoners and detainees saluted the people of Gaza and its Resistance; as were it not for their sacrifices, they would not have seen the light of freedom.
One released detainee told Al Mayadeen, "We thank Gaza and its people... you have fulfilled your pledge."
"We thank #Gaza and its people... You have fulfilled your pledge."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 25, 2025
- Freed Palestinian detainee in #Ramallah to #AlMayadeen#GazaPrevailsAgainstGenocide#غزة_تهزم_الإبادة https://t.co/cRHq1qadQk
Another detainee said, "We thank the people of Gaza. Our freedom is thanks to the Resistance that we must preserve.”
“We must remain united,” he asserted.
Another said, "A salute to our people in Gaza who have made great sacrifices."
On his part, liberated detainee Wael al-Jaghoub told Al Mayadeen, "Our freedom is one step closer to the freedom of our people and the whole of Palestine," asserting that this freedom is due to the legendary steadfastness of Gaza.
He added, "We bow before Gaza, which is a model for global liberation and to every Palestinian who belongs to it."
Reflecting on the situation of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons, al-Jaghoub said, "What is happening inside the prisons is a full-fledged war crime comprising starvation, torture, assaults, and medical neglect." He also pointed out that "the occupation prevents any news from reaching the prisoners and keeps them completely isolated from the outside world."
One of the released prisoners said that upon his release, "a Shin Bet official told me, 'We are still here,' so I told him, ‘So are we.'"
The released prisoners and detainees stressed that they stand by the Resistance, vowing that it will not be broken and that Gaza will continue to stand strong against any aggression.
“It is either death or victory for us," they maintained, thanking the al-Qassam Brigades, the al-Quds Brigades, and all the Resistance factions who will remain steadfast on the ground and will eventually liberate all the prisoners and detainees.
The release of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees comes after Hamas released four female soldiers and handed them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Palestine Square in Gaza City.
Read more: Most Israelis support full implementation of Gaza ceasefire deal
