Palestinian born after father was jailed hugs him for first time

After hours of delays, scenes of jubilation erupted in Ramallah as around 60 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli detention and returned to the arms of their overjoyed loved ones. Among those released was 47-year-old Hussein Nasser, who was arrested in 2003 for his involvement in the Second Palestinian Intifada, marking his first taste of freedom in 22 years.

Greeting Nasser were his daughters, 22-year-old Hedaya and 21-year-old Raghad. Both were wearing striking traditional red and black dresses from their hometown of Nablus. The younger daughter had told me earlier that she couldn't describe what it had been like living without her father for so long. "This is the first time I've touched him. I will hug him. I cannot express my feelings."

Visibly emotional, almost trembling, she said, "My mother was pregnant with me when the Israelis arrested him. I feel like this is the first time I'm knowing what it is like to have a father!" Among the 110 Palestinian prisoners released at this stage were a number of women and children, the youngest being just 15 years old. Some were accused of relatively minor offences, while others had not been convicted or formally charged.

However, 21 prisoners convicted of the most serious crimes, including murder, were barred by Israel from returning to Palestinian territory and were exiled to Egypt or neighboring countries. Zakaria Zubeidi, the former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, was not exiled despite being convicted of involvement in the killing of several Israelis. He and several other detainees were carried through the streets near downtown Ramallah by cheering supporters.

Dr. Laila Abu Ghanem, the Governor of Ramallah and al-Bireh, considered the homecoming of so many former prisoners a moment to celebrate. But she also had mixed feelings, as Israeli military operations in the northern areas of the occupied West Bank were escalating, and the ceasefire in Gaza remained fragile. "All Palestinians are happy for the release of the prisoners, but we are sad for what is happening in the governorates. Today, mothers are happy for the release of their children, but they are also sad for the mothers who have lost their homes and children."

In reporting on this thorny conflict, today is one of the few days I have seen smiles on the faces of both Palestinians and Israelis. It is a terrible and destructive war that has destroyed many lives. Governor Ghanem accused the Israeli government of not being interested in peace. "But we will not lose hope," she said with a smile. "If we lost hope, the Palestinians would have ended 75 years ago." The next prisoner release, in exchange for Israeli hostages, is expected on Saturday.