In a significant move towards peace, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer Prison in the West Bank early Monday. This release came just hours after three Israeli hostages were brought back to Israel following their liberation from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Witnesses reported that several buses departed Ofer Prison around 1 a.m. after resolving issues related to verifying the prisoners' names. The Hamas-affiliated Prisoners' Media Office confirmed the start of the release process, following an agreement on the prisoner lists.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the transport of the released individuals, including both men and women, to areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. The release ceremony was met with jubilation, as hundreds of Palestinians, including the families of the prisoners, gathered near the prison to welcome the newly freed individuals.
However, tensions flared in the area when several journalists and Palestinian residents were assaulted by Israeli forces, who deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. Among the 90 released prisoners are women from East Jerusalem and minors under the age of 18.
This prisoner exchange is a key component of the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Sunday. The agreement marks a hopeful step towards reducing hostilities and fostering dialogue between the two parties.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
