Palestinians in West Bank await prisoner release after ceasefire deal

In the occupied West Bank, the families of 90 Palestinian prisoners are anxiously awaiting the release of their loved ones from Israeli prisons, as part of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Hundreds of people gathered in the town square of Beitunia, about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from Israel's Ofer prison, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans.

Amidst an atmosphere of excitement and nervous anticipation, Diyash Daraghmeh is waiting for her sister, Hadil. The 32-year-old university administrator has been detained for seven months without any charges. "I'm happy, I think, and a little confused because of what's happening in Gaza," Diyash told the BBC.

"The most important thing is that they stopped the war in Gaza. Even if she is not released today, we will be okay. But at least the war is over." The 90 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Sunday are mostly women, along with some children. There will be more anxious days to come in the following six weeks.

Under the first phase of the agreement, around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza are to be released in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages, including three women released by Hamas in Gaza on Sunday afternoon. One of the most high-profile prisoners is Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, an armed group in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

The 49-year-old man has served time in both Israeli and Palestinian prisons for multiple crimes, including murder. He said he had launched a shooting attack in 2002 that killed six Israelis. Zubeidi also made headlines in 2021 when he escaped from an Israeli prison through a tunnel, only to be recaptured five days later.