Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after delay over chaotic hostage handover

On Thursday, Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza, while Israel freed 110 Palestinian prisoners after stalling the procedure due to frustration with the large crowds at one of the hostage handover locations.

Arbel Yehoud, 29, taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-initiated attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, appeared frightened and had difficulty making her way through the crowd as armed fighters passed her to the Red Cross in a fraught situation in the southern town of Khan Younis. Another Israeli captive, Gadi Moses, 80, was freed along with five Thai workers employed on Israeli farms close to Gaza when the militants breached the border barrier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that the scene of their tumultuous transfer was alarming and warned of death to anyone harming hostages. He and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that they had postponed the releases of the prisoners “until the secure exit of our hostages in the upcoming phases is guaranteed.” The office of the prime minister later stated that mediators had pledged to guarantee the safe transfer of hostages during upcoming handovers. On Thursday, buses subsequently reached the West Bank city of Ramallah, delivering some of the 110 Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of the gradual accord that ended over 15 months of conflict in the coastal region on January 19.

In the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, cheering crowds welcomed the prisoners, with men shouting, “we offer our souls and blood for you.” Zakaria Zubaidi, a key leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which is the armed faction of Fatah, Hamas’ rival, was the most notable Palestinian prisoner released. In 2021, he broke out of prison with three fellow inmates but was subsequently caught again.

According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 14 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire, with some affected by live and rubber bullets, while others suffered from gas inhalation as they congregated at the entrance of Ramallah to greet the released detainees. Video clips depicted Palestinians hurling stones at the police and subsequently fleeing as the officers began to shoot.

Israel did not provide any immediate response.

Several inmates from East Jerusalem reached their residences, while others were sent to Gaza or expelled to Egypt.

Earlier, in Jabalia, located in northern Gaza, an Israeli soldier named Agam Berger, dressed in an olive green uniform, was guided through a narrow passage amid severely damaged structures and over heaps of debris before being delivered to the Red Cross. “Our daughter is resilient, loyal, and courageous,” a message from her family remarked. “Agam and our family can initiate the healing journey now, but the recovery won’t be finished until every hostage is reunited with their home.”

A video shared by Netanyahu’s office depicted a visibly pale Berger weeping and smiling as she sat on her mother’s lap. Video of 80-year-old Moses reuniting with his family depicted him walking without assistance. A physician stated that Moses was in fairly good shape but would remain under observation. Netanyahu has been criticized in Israel for not securing a hostage agreement sooner in the conflict following the security lapse that facilitated the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.