Fourth round of Hamas-Israel prisoner swap sees 183 Palestinians returned VIDEO

A total of 183 Palestinian prisoners were released on February 1, 2025, as part of the fourth round of the prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel.

The release follows the ongoing negotiations and prisoner swaps aimed at securing the return of captives from both sides, Caliber.Az reports referring to international media.

An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) convoy, carrying the Palestinian prisoners, left Ofer prison in the West Bank in the morning. The convoy made its way through the village of Beituniya before arriving in the city of Ramallah.

Upon their arrival in Ramallah, the prisoners were met with great enthusiasm, as thousands of Palestinian residents gathered to welcome them. The release sparked a scene of celebration, with many cheering and applauding as the convoy entered the city, marking the emotional return of the prisoners.

The swap deal involved Israel releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli civilian captives. One of the Israeli captives is a dual US-Israeli citizen. According to reports from the Hamas-affiliated Captives Media Service, the released Palestinian prisoners include a range of individuals with varying sentences, such as 18 people sentenced to life imprisonment, 54 serving long-term prison terms, and 111 detained in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, attacks.

وصول الأسرى المفرج عنهم ضمن الدفعة الرابعة لرام الله#قناة_العربية pic.twitter.com/AIbS8CAvRz

— العربية (@AlArabiya) February 1, 2025

In a significant development, seven of the prisoners released will be sent to countries outside of Palestine as part of the agreement.

The ongoing prisoner exchange is part of a series of swaps between Hamas and Israel that have taken place since October 2023. In the first three rounds of these exchanges, a total of 400 Palestinian prisoners were released, in addition to 10 Israeli captives and five Thai nationals who were held in Gaza.

As the exchange continues, the atmosphere in Ramallah and other parts of the West Bank remains charged with anticipation, as Palestinians celebrate the return of their loved ones and prisoners.

Hamas officials and Palestinian leaders have expressed their hope that such exchanges will continue, pushing for the release of all Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

By Tamilla Hasanova