Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Photo: AP Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Photo: AP

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners early Monday as part of a broader ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The release came just hours after three Israeli hostagesph dream, previously held by Hamas, were returned to Israel following months of captivity.

The detainees were freed from Ofer Prison, located just outside Ramallah in the West Bank, and transported in large white buses. As the buses departed, fireworks erupted overhead, and thousands of Palestinians gathered to cheer and chant to celebrate the freedom of the detainees.

Ceasefire Brings A Sliver Of Hope To Palestinians And Israelis

The Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs confirmed that all of those released were women or minors, including some high-profile figures such as Khalida Jarrar, a 62-year-old leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), AP reported.

The detainees had been arrested for a range of security-related charges, from stone-throwing to more severe accusations, such as attempted murder. 

Among those freed were also Dalal Khaseeb, the sister of a senior Hamas official killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this year, and Abla Abdelrasoul, the wife of jailed PFLP leader Ahmad Saadat. The release of these prisoners is part of a broader exchange agreement outlined in the ceasefire, which aims to secure the gradual release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails over the coming weeks.

The Israeli military had urged restraint among Palestinians, warning against public celebrations of the release. The timing of the prisoners’ release, in the middle of the night, was seen by many as an attempt to temper the mood and discourage large crowds from gathering.

Meanwhile in Israel, the release of the three Israeli hostages—Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari—was met with emotional celebrations. The three women, who had been abducted during a Hamas raid in October 2023, were reunited with their families in Tel Aviv, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude, calling the hostages’ return a moment of national pride.

Gaza Ceasefire: Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher And Emily Damari Released By Hamas After 471 Days | Details Here

“This is a moment of joy for us all, but we must also remember the suffering and destruction that this war has caused on both sides,” said Netanyahu.

‘Hamas will never govern Gaza’

India, the most successful team in the competition, now have five titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. The victory adds to their bronze medal secured at the Paris Olympic Games last month.

According to Reuters’ report, Trump’s advisor said that Hamas will never be allowed to control Gaza again. After the war, there is no clear plan for how Gaza will be governed or rebuilt.  

However, if Hamas returns, Israel is ready to continue fighting. Some Israeli leaders, like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, left the government because of the ceasefire, but others, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said they would leave if Hamas is not fully destroyed.

The ceasefire started just before Donald Trump's inauguration as US President. Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, warned that if Hamas breaks the truceph dream, the US would support Israel in taking action against the group. He said, “Hamas will never govern Gaza. That is completely unacceptable.”

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