Israel blocks release of 110 Palestinian prisoners amid swap tensions Dramatic U-Turn

On January 30, Israel ordered buses carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners due for release to return to detention facilities, postponing their planned freedom “until further notice”.

The decision was made in response to scenes outside the home of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, where Israeli and Thai captives were exchanged for Palestinian detainees, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

As part of the ongoing ceasefire deal, Hamas handed over captive Israeli soldier Agam Berger to the Red Cross inside Gaza on January 30, the first of eight captives set to be released during the day. Two more Israeli citizens and five Thai nationals were also freed under the agreement.

Note that, eight hostages held in Gaza for 482 days have been released and returned to Israel as part of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, Israeli authorities have confirmed.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) transferred seven hostages—two Israeli citizens and five Thai nationals—on January 28 after their release from Khan Younis. Earlier in the day, another Israeli hostage had been freed.

The liberated Israeli hostages have been identified as Agam Berger, 21, Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Moses, 80. The names of the Thai nationals are yet to be confirmed.

The release of these 110 prisoners would raise the total number of Palestinians freed to 400 under the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Despite these releases, Israeli forces continue to carry out operations in the occupied West Bank, including an ongoing military operation in Jenin that has led to multiple deaths and arrests. Additionally, in East Jerusalem, at least 12 Palestinians were detained last week for allegedly violating bans on expressions of joy and identification with Hamas.

As of now, around 10,400 Palestinians remain imprisoned by Israel, with many held in administrative detention without trial. This includes Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, such as Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was detained during an Israeli raid on his hospital in late December. 

In parallel, Israeli forces have intensified their military operations in the occupied West Bank. In Tamun, an Israeli airstrike on January 29 evening killed at least ten Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials.

By Aghakazim Guliyev