Hamas expects list ‘shortly’ from Israel of 90 Palestinian prisoners to be freed
The Palestinian group has issued a statement saying it is awaiting a list of 90 prisoners to be released by Israel as part of the captive-prisoner exchange on the first day of the ceasefire.
“The occupation is expected to hand over shortly a list containing the names of 90 prisoners from the categories of women and children who are set to be released on the first day of the ceasefire,” Hamas said.
It added that the deal stipulated “the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one civilian detainee [captive]”.
Palestinian mother anticipates release of sons from Israeli prison
Hundreds of Palestinians are expected to be released from Israeli jails during the first phase of the ceasefire deal, including 95 from the notorious Ofer prison.
Mariam Owais, from the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, told Al Jazeera two of her three imprisoned sons are expected to be released. She expects to welcome one of them home, while the other could be deported. Both were serving life sentences with the prisoner swap being their only way out.
“When I first heard I was shocked. I started shaking and suddenly felt sick,” Owais said. “Those around me started asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, maybe I’m happy. I don’t know how I feel.'”
The first truce in November 2023 lasted for a week and saw the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners: women, children and young men. At least 25 of those released have since been rearrested.
Essay Pro