Watan-The Israeli occupation has released the third batch of Palestinian prisoners as part of the prisoner exchange deal with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). This batch includes 110 prisoners, nine of whom have arrived in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of Palestinians gathered in Ramallah, in the West Bank, to welcome the freed prisoners, despite the occupation’s attempts to prevent any celebratory displays.
Some of the prisoners have arrived in Ramallah and occupied Jerusalem, while the rest continue to arrive.
Ahmed al-Qudra, director of the Prisoners’ Media Office, stated: “We announce to our people and to our Arab and Islamic nations the good news of the release of 110 prisoners in the third batch of the first phase of the ‘Flood of the Free’ deal, which represents another victory added to the record of resilience and resistance.”
He added that “the release of this group of free men, including Zakaria Zubeidi, Sami Jaradat, Sameh al-Shobaki, Mohammad Abu Warda, Baha al-Din al-Qassas, and Nidal al-Barai, confirms that the balance of power has shifted.”
“Flood of the Free”
The Prisoners’ Media Office clarified that this batch includes 32 prisoners serving life sentences, 48 prisoners serving various sentences, and 30 children.
The office called on the Palestinian people everywhere to organize “a grand and honorable reception for our freed heroes so that this day becomes a day of loyalty to them and their sacrifices.”
Earlier, sources told Al Jazeera that clashes broke out between Palestinians and occupation forces near Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah in the West Bank, following the release of some prisoners.
Israeli occupation forces fired tear gas canisters at dozens of Palestinians in the area.
Prisoners Are a “Red Line”
For its part, Hamas stated that “the massive reception for our freed prisoners, despite the occupation’s attempts to harass their families, sends a message that the prisoners’ cause is a red line.”
The movement affirmed its commitment to “continue working with full effort and determination until all our prisoners are freed from the occupation’s prisons.”
The Israeli occupation army had warned Palestinians against participating in what it termed “riots and armed marches” during the preparations for the release of the Palestinian prisoners.
Among those freed in this batch is Zakaria Zubeidi, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, who is known as one of the heroes of the “Freedom Tunnel” operation. He was among the prisoners who escaped from Israel’s Gilboa Prison in September 2021 before being recaptured by the occupation forces.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources reported that occupation forces prevented several families of the freed prisoners who were deported under the exchange deal from traveling to meet their relatives.
Arrival of Gaza Prisoners
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in the Gaza Strip reported that nine of the freed prisoners from this batch had arrived in the enclave.
Footage from Gaza showed crowds of Palestinians welcoming the freed prisoners upon their arrival at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
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