Ceasefire brings bittersweet reunions in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

Ata Muhammad Abdul-Ghani was finally reunited with his sons, marking their first-ever meeting. The former Palestinian militant's father had conceived his two young sons through sperm smuggled out of an Israeli prison. After 23 years of imprisonment, he was finally able to embrace them and return with his wife to their home in Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank.

"Almighty God created two heavens, one in the higher sky and one here on Earth, and this is my heaven," he said as he kissed his wife. "I hope and pray that God, in the name of peace and security, will bring peace to all people in this region, to all free people in the world. May everyone live in peace, security, and love. May we see doves of peace flying over the skies of Palestine."

Abdul-Ghani’s family declined to give specific details of his conviction, saying only that he was sentenced to three life terms for fighting with a Palestinian brigade during the Second Intifada. "No one expected [the release], never. We only hoped that he would leave the prison, if God allowed, as a corpse. We would not see him alive," said his brother, Hakam Muhammad Abdul-Ghani. "He has changed, first of all his health has deteriorated and he has lost 20 to 30 kilograms. His appearance has also changed, but what brings me joy is the pure joy he had when he hugged us."

Ata Muhammad Abdul-Ghani was one of 72 long-term prisoners released by Israeli authorities in exchange for three hostages held by Hamas inside Gaza. An additional 111 Gazans who were detained by Israel without charge were also released back into Gaza. Videos shared on social media showed one man who was released from prison into Gaza learning that his entire family had been killed in the war during his imprisonment. Palestinians recently released from Israeli prisons have claimed they suffered severe abuse and ill-treatment while in custody.

Meanwhile, in Israel, the three released hostages were reunited with their families and friends in tearful scenes. Yarden Bibas, 35, tightly grasped his father and sister as he arrived at the Re'im military base in southern Israel, after 484 days in captivity. He was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, along with his wife, Shiri, and their two young children – Kfir, who was just nine months old at the time, and Ariel, aged four. The joy of returning home was mixed with grief and anxiety amid fears that Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel have died. Hamas said in late 2023 that the three had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. The absence of the women and children, who should have been prioritized for release under the ceasefire and hostage deal, may be indicative of their fate.

Ofer Calderon, 54, was surrounded by his four children as he arrived at a hospital in Ramat Gan, outside of Tel Aviv, on Saturday. Two of them were also kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, but were released in November 2023 during the last ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Video released by the Israeli Prime Minister's office showed the family embracing, and Mr. Calderon was heard joking with one of his sons. "You escaped," he said, laughing. "Our bushes were not good, they found us in our hiding place."

The third hostage released on Saturday was Israeli-American Keith Siegel. The 65-year-old looked frail as he met his wife and son at the Re'im base. His wife, Aviva Siegel, was also kidnapped on October 7, but was released in November 2023. She had had no information about her husband's well-being except for a video released by Hamas last April. Mr. Siegel was surrounded by his four daughters, who sang to him as they rushed to him in the hospital.

Many Israelis are hoping that other families will experience similar reunions in the coming weeks, as more hostages are released. But more than two-thirds of the remaining hostages were not released during this six-week ceasefire. In a video message played at the weekly Hostages Square rally in Tel Aviv, one of the first Israelis released under the current deal pledged to fight for the release of every hostage. Doron Steinbrecher, who was released two weeks ago, remains in hospital. "To the families whose loved ones are still being held – you are not alone," she said. "We will continue to fight for you, and we will do everything until everyone is home, until you can close this circle, together. The moment I leave here, I will be there with the signs."

Efforts toward a lasting peace in Gaza are set to begin on Monday, as negotiators for Israel and Hamas begin a new round of talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing enormous pressure on the issue from across society. Many are demanding he do whatever it takes to extend the ceasefire and bring all the remaining hostages home. But hard-right voices, including within his own coalition government, are agitating for a resumption of fighting – insisting that military pressure is the only way to deal with Hamas.