Watan-Dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in downtown Ramallah, in the West Bank, on Thursday evening, where large crowds gathered to welcome them.
The release of these prisoners is part of the third batch of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, which is included in the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Before the buses departed, the Israeli army raided the town of Beitunia with several military vehicles and two bulldozers, firing live bullets, rubber-coated rounds, and tear gas at Palestinians who were waiting for the prisoners. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 14 Palestinians were injured, including three who were shot with live ammunition.
As the prisoners stepped off the buses, the crowds lifted them onto their shoulders, chanting and cheering in celebration.
The buses had initially left Ofer Prison hours earlier but were later ordered to return by Israel’s political leadership, which was displeased with the scenes of the exchange of Israeli captives in Gaza earlier that day.
Israeli Army Radio reported: “The release of Palestinian prisoners has been halted until further notice.”
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a security source saying: “We have received instructions to suspend the release of Palestinian prisoners following the scenes that took place during the handover of Israeli captives in Khan Younis.”
9 Prisoners Arrive in Gaza
As part of the third batch, nine released prisoners also arrived in Gaza on Thursday evening through the Kerem Shalom crossing, east of Rafah in the south, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The freed prisoners were transported to the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, for medical checkups.
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