In a significant development amid ongoing tensions, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday following the transfer of three Israeli hostages by Hamas. The exchange took place under a fragile Gaza ceasefire, marking the fifth such swap in recent weeks.
Jubilant crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel's bustling commercial center, to witness the live handover of the hostages. The event, held in Deir el-Balah, saw the hostages, accompanied by masked militants, being presented on stage before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ceremony was met with mixed emotions, as many were shocked by the condition of the hostages. Michal Cohen, mother-in-law of one of the hostages, Ohad Ben Ami, expressed her distress, saying, \"He looked like a skeleton. It was awful to see.\"
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, stating, \"The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed.\" This latest exchange adds to the ongoing series that has so far seen the return of 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages, alongside the release of 766 Palestinian detainees.
The ceasefire, brokered with support from the United States and mediation by Egypt and Qatar, has held for nearly three weeks despite underlying tensions. However, recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump urging for the transfer of Gaza to U.S. control and its transformation into the \"Riviera of the Middle East\" have raised concerns about the stability of the agreement.
While Arab states and Palestinian groups have dismissed Trump's proposal as potential ethnic cleansing, Netanyahu welcomed the intervention. The Israeli defense minister has already directed the military to facilitate the departure of Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza.
Under the current ceasefire terms, 33 Israeli individuals, including children, women, and the elderly, are to be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations are underway for a second phase aimed at securing the release of all remaining hostages and achieving a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The backdrop to these exchanges stems from the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and have significantly impacted the densely populated region.
Reference(s):
Hamas frees three more Israeli hostages amid fragile Gaza truce
cgtn.com
