Israel frees over 30 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences

Israel began releasing over 300 Palestinian prisoners, including 36 serving life sentences for terror-related killings, after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages on February 15 as part of the ceasefire and hostage agreement.

According to the Hamas-linked Prisoners’ Information Office, a total of 369 Palestinians were to be released, which included 333 detainees from Gaza and 36 terrorists serving life terms, some for multiple murders, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

This release marks the largest to date under the ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. In response to Hamas dressing released hostages in prison attire and giving them “gifts” of Palestinian symbols, the Israel Prison Service dressed Palestinian detainees in shirts featuring a blue Star of David, the Shin Bet logo, and the Arabic phrase: “We will not forgive or forget.” The prisoners were also reportedly given Shin Bet-themed wristbands and shown a film about the destruction in Gaza.

About an hour after the hostages were returned to Israel, live footage captured the first bus of Palestinian prisoners leaving the Ofer Prison for Ramallah in the West Bank, where they were greeted by a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. When the Palestinian prisoners disembarked the bus, most were seen wearing keffiyehs or overcoats, which concealed any Israeli insignia. 

More buses filled with prisoners departed from an Israeli prison in the Negev desert towards Gaza, where videos showed Palestinians burning the shirts that Israel had provided for the prisoners. The 333 Gazans were being returned to Gaza, with 10 serving life sentences sent to the West Bank and one to East Jerusalem. 

Additionally, 25 prisoners were being deported to Gaza or abroad through Egypt. In the first phase of the agreement, Israel has agreed to release approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including over 270 serving life sentences, in exchange for 33 Israeli women, children, civilian men over 50, and individuals deemed “humanitarian cases.”

On February 10, Hamas announced it was postponing the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, citing Israel’s alleged failure to comply with the ceasefire terms. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz denounced this decision, calling it “a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal.”

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, is set to last 42 days in its first phase. Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel is to release approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Israel swiftly responded with retaliatory airstrikes, escalating hostilities in the region.

By Naila Huseynova