Israel and Hamas Conduct Prisoner Exchange Amid Celebrations
Hamas releases four Israeli captives as Israel frees 200 Palestinian detainees
In a significant event marking the latest phase of a negotiated truce, Hamas released four Israeli captives on Thursday, while Israeli authorities released 200 Palestinian detainees.
This exchange led to celebrations on both sides, with people gathering in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to welcome those freed.
The Israelis, identified as Daniel Gelboa, Karina Aryev, Liri Albag, and Naama Levy, were handed over to Israeli forces in the presence of large crowds and security personnel in Gaza City.
The Israeli military confirmed their safe arrival and subsequent transfer by helicopter to a medical facility in Petah Tikva, central Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the event as a "very happy moment," while the White House reiterated its commitment to furthering the release of remaining captives.
Simultaneously, the 200 released Palestinian detainees were greeted by crowds in Ramallah.
They disembarked from buses wearing grey tracksuits and were celebrated by family and supporters carrying Palestinian flags.
The Israeli Prison Service confirmed their release from Ofer and Ketziot prisons following the necessary procedures and political approvals.
Among those released, 70 individuals were transported to Egypt for medical treatment, as reported by Egypt's Cairo News Channel.
The prisoners included 120 individuals serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, and the release was facilitated by prior arrangements involving American, Qatari, and Egyptian mediation.
The current exchange is part of the second round of the initial phase of a broader truce agreement, which saw three Israeli women released last week in exchange for approximately 90 Palestinian prisoners.
A notable aspect of the agreement involves the coordinated return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, monitored by an Egyptian-Qatari committee.
However, complications arose as Israel linked the displaced people's return to the release of another captive, Arbail Yehud, expected on the following Saturday.
Netanyahu's office stated that the movement of Gaza residents would remain restricted until Yehud's release.
This condition resulted in the gathering of hundreds of Palestinians near the Netzarim junction, eagerly awaiting the reopening of access to their homes in northern Gaza.
At these gathering points, along the coastal road west of Gaza City, people sat with their belongings, underlining the anticipation for the lifting of Israeli blockades.
Police enforced crowd control near the still-blocked checkpoint where Israeli military vehicles remained.
Meanwhile, celebrations continued in Ramallah, where many of the freed prisoners were carried by joyous crowds amidst a display of Palestinian flags.
At the European Gaza Hospital in the south of the Strip, 16 released detainees were receiving medical evaluations, with welcoming crowds assembled to greet them.
This exchange led to celebrations on both sides, with people gathering in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to welcome those freed.
The Israelis, identified as Daniel Gelboa, Karina Aryev, Liri Albag, and Naama Levy, were handed over to Israeli forces in the presence of large crowds and security personnel in Gaza City.
The Israeli military confirmed their safe arrival and subsequent transfer by helicopter to a medical facility in Petah Tikva, central Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the event as a "very happy moment," while the White House reiterated its commitment to furthering the release of remaining captives.
Simultaneously, the 200 released Palestinian detainees were greeted by crowds in Ramallah.
They disembarked from buses wearing grey tracksuits and were celebrated by family and supporters carrying Palestinian flags.
The Israeli Prison Service confirmed their release from Ofer and Ketziot prisons following the necessary procedures and political approvals.
Among those released, 70 individuals were transported to Egypt for medical treatment, as reported by Egypt's Cairo News Channel.
The prisoners included 120 individuals serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, and the release was facilitated by prior arrangements involving American, Qatari, and Egyptian mediation.
The current exchange is part of the second round of the initial phase of a broader truce agreement, which saw three Israeli women released last week in exchange for approximately 90 Palestinian prisoners.
A notable aspect of the agreement involves the coordinated return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, monitored by an Egyptian-Qatari committee.
However, complications arose as Israel linked the displaced people's return to the release of another captive, Arbail Yehud, expected on the following Saturday.
Netanyahu's office stated that the movement of Gaza residents would remain restricted until Yehud's release.
This condition resulted in the gathering of hundreds of Palestinians near the Netzarim junction, eagerly awaiting the reopening of access to their homes in northern Gaza.
At these gathering points, along the coastal road west of Gaza City, people sat with their belongings, underlining the anticipation for the lifting of Israeli blockades.
Police enforced crowd control near the still-blocked checkpoint where Israeli military vehicles remained.
Meanwhile, celebrations continued in Ramallah, where many of the freed prisoners were carried by joyous crowds amidst a display of Palestinian flags.
At the European Gaza Hospital in the south of the Strip, 16 released detainees were receiving medical evaluations, with welcoming crowds assembled to greet them.
