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SvennoJ on 19 January 2025
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The waiting game begins

Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim describes the experience for the families of Palestinian prisoners who are going to be released in the occupied West Bank as nerve-racking because they won’t know when exactly their loved ones will be released.

She said families are also not allowed to show any celebration, which will create a tense situation outside the prison.

“We’ve heard today from many families there that they’ve received calls from the Israeli intelligence officers telling them that they cannot show any sign of joy, any signs of happiness,” Ibrahim said.

She said Israeli military soldiers are currently surrounding the Ofer military prison and won’t hesitate to crack down on displays of joy. She said that during previous prisoner releases, the Israeli forces have chased Palestinians who are welcoming their loved ones with tear gas.


Red Cross still examining Palestinian prisoners in Ofer Prison

As the wait for the release of the 90 Palestinian prisoners by Israel drags on, sources have told our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic that teams from the Red Cross are continuing to examine those set for release.

Few people gathered at Ofer Prison after Israel issued warning

We are noticing from the images from Ofer Prison that the number of people gathered to receive the Palestinian prisoners set to be released is a lot less than the previous exchange deal in the four-day truce in November 2023.

This might be because Israeli authorities have been calling the relatives of the prisoners and saying they are not allowed to show any jubilation.

For many in the West Bank, this is not a time of celebration because they are deeply aware that this result was achieved through the pain of the people in Gaza.


Husband waits to be reunited with wife at Ofer Prison

Saleh Beara is waiting for his wife Abeer to appear at the gates of Ofer Prison. She was arrested four months ago and was separated from her children, aged two and four.

“She did not stand any trial or face any sentencing,” Beara said. “Throughout her detention, it was very difficult if not impossible to have any news of her. This put us in a very hard mental and emotional state.”

Beara said their family was overjoyed when they saw his wife’s name on the list of prisoners set to be released as part of the ceasefire deal. “What a relief,” he said. “We were holding our breath thinking her name might not be on the list. But it was.”