Just after 1 a.m. Monday large white buses rolled out of Ofer Prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah and drove just over two miles to the city of Beitunia, where 90 Palestinian detainees were released into the crowds who had gathered to meet them.
Why It Matters
This freeing of the 90 Palestinian detainees—comprised entirely of women and teenagers—in exchange for three Israeli hostages also released on Sunday, marks the initial implementation of the recently agreed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of conflict and uncertainty.
What to Know
All the Palestinian detainees released as part of the ceasefire agreement had been held by Israel on charges it classified as security-related offenses. These ranged from minor infractions, including throwing stones and promoting violence on social media, to more serious allegations, including attempted murder.
How Has Israel Reacted to the Freeing of Detainees and Hostages?
In Israel, the emotional reunions of freed hostages Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher with their families were met with a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. The joy was overshadowed by pressing concerns over the fate of nearly 100 other individuals who were abducted during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack and remain in captivity in Gaza.
How Many Palestinian Detainees Will Be Freed in the Ceasefire Deal?
Damari, Gonen, and Steinbrecher are the first of 33 Israeli hostages set to be released over the next six weeks under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal also includes the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a temporary pause in fighting, and increased fuel and humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to finalize the ceasefire deal ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration on Monday, has stated that he received assurances from Trump that Israel retains the option to resume military operations against Hamas if deemed necessary.
How Did the Recent Conflict in Gaza Start?
Israel attributes the extensive destruction in Gaza to Iran-backed Hamas, which initiated the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border assault. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and the abduction of 250 others, with around 100 still missing and many feared dead.
In response, Israel's military offensive has led to more than 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which reports that over half the casualties were women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.
Israel asserts that it has killed over 17,000 Hamas militants but has yet to provide evidence to support this claim. The Israeli military has released images and videos alleging that Hamas has embedded military infrastructure including tunnels and rocket launchers within residential areas, including homes, schools, and mosques, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
What People Are Saying
Rami Nofal, a displaced man from Gaza City, explained that his son was killed in an Israeli airstrike. "This ceasefire was a joy mixed with pain," he said.
Asher Pizem, 35, from the Israeli city of Sderot, said the deal had merely postponed Israel's next confrontation with Hamas. He also criticized Israel for allowing aid into Gaza, saying it would contribute to the militant group's revival. "They will take the time and attack again," he said
What Happens Next
While the agreement's initial 42-day phase offers a temporary respite from hostilities, the future remains uncertain. The deal's subsequent stages outline plans for further hostage and prisoner exchanges and aims to work toward a permanent end to the war. However, whether both sides will adhere to the framework in the long term remains to be seen.
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