Israel has released 90 Palestinian prisoners, including 69 women, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The prisoners were detained without charge for over 15 months of conflict in Gaza. Khalida Jarrar, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Rula Hassanein, a journalist, are among those released.
The first phase of the three-phase ceasefire will last 42 days, during which 33 Israeli captives are to be released. In exchange, up to 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. The deal has sparked celebrations in the West Bank, where families have gathered to receive their loved ones.
However, human rights organizations and observers warn that prison conditions remain dire for Palestinians. Israeli prisons have been criticized for arbitrary arrests, torture, and deaths of detainees in custody. According to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, there are 10,400 Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
The release of the prisoners has been met with skepticism by some, who argue that it does not address underlying issues or change the conditions inside Israeli prisons. Basil Farraj, an assistant professor at Birzeit University, stated that the carceral regime is intended to break Palestinian prisoners and that the release does not mean the conditions have changed.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, as well as the struggles of Palestinians in the occupied territories. The deal’s impact on the conflict remains uncertain, but its effects on Palestinian prisoners will be closely watched by human rights advocates.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/20/who-are-the-palestinian-prisoners-released-by-israel