Joy in Ramallah as Palestinians welcome freed prisoners

Joy filled the air in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday afternoon as Palestinians welcomed the release of 114 prisoners, many of whom had been serving life sentences. These prisoners were released from Israeli jails as part of a ceasefire deal between Hamas in Gaza and Israel.

Israel released a total of 200 prisoners on Saturday, with 107 being sent to Ramallah, five to Jerusalem, one to the Palestinian city of Umm al-Fahm inside Israel, and 16 to Gaza. An additional 70 prisoners were sent to Egypt, from where they will be deported to other countries. The release of prisoners to the West Bank took place at the Ofer military prison west of Ramallah, hours after Hamas released four female soldiers, part of the second phase of prisoner releases outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

Prior to the release of the Palestinian prisoners, Israel took strict measures to prevent any celebrations in the West Bank. Israeli forces raided the town of Beitunia, near Ofer prison, and prevented Palestinians from approaching the area. They also raided the homes of several prisoners, warning their families against holding celebrations. The buses carrying the prisoners arrived in the center of Ramallah under heavy guard by Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, who restricted access to the buses until they reached designated reception areas. They also prohibited the raising of Hamas flags and confiscated those they found.

The released prisoners, looking gaunt, reunited with their families in tearful embraces. They spoke of the hardships they had endured during their detention over the past year, a year filled with harsh conditions and frequent attacks by Israeli prison guards. Over 50 prisoners have died in Israeli detention over the past 15 months. Released prisoner Mohammed Tabtab, from Ramallah, told Middle East Eye that he felt a mix of emotions, adding that the grand reception they received "filled their hearts with overwhelming joy."

Tabtab, who was sentenced to 15 and a half years, was released after serving 13. He expressed his gratitude to the Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza who “paid for their freedom with their blood.” “Everything we suffered in prison was extremely difficult. However, when we saw our families, we forgot everything and felt happiness that had not touched our hearts for years,” Tabtab said. Saeed Helmas, from Bethlehem, who was sentenced to 14 years and released after serving nine, thanked those responsible for their release from Israel's "unjust prisons."

Helmas added, “We suffered greatly, but it was all for the freedom of our people.” He ended the brief interview, saying with a tired voice, “Forgive me, I am sick and have a fracture.” Meanwhile, the family of Jordanian prisoner Amar Huwaitat revealed that he refused to sign documents authorizing his release to the West Bank or Gaza, insisting on returning only to his home country. Israel refused his request, and he remains in detention. Huwaitat has been held in Israeli prisons since 2002, serving a life sentence plus 20 years. He has suffered numerous attacks during his imprisonment.