GAZA – For the families of the Palestinian
prisoners released by the Israeli occupation under the exchange agreement with
the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, there was a mixed feeling of relief and
sadness on Friday. This comes as the war is expected to continue in Gaza after
the expiration of a four-day ceasefire.
اضافة اعلان
According to Al-Mamlaka TV, A total of 39
Palestinian women and minors, held on various charges, were released as part of
an agreement mediated by Qatar, in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli
detainees in Gaza.
Sawsan Bakir, the mother of the Palestinian
prisoner Marah Bakir (24 years old), expressed her emotions, saying,
"There is no joy at all, not even the joy we were expecting." Marah
was imprisoned for eight years on charges of carrying out a knife attack in
2015.
Israeli police were seen raiding Sawsan's
house in Jerusalem before Marah's release.
Bakir added, "We are afraid to be happy;
we are waiting and afraid to be happy because of the situation in Gaza."
Over 100 Palestinian prisoners are scheduled
to be released over the next four days, and more may be released if the
ceasefire is extended.
In the city of Bethlehem near Ramallah in the
occupied West Bank, a massive crowd, mostly composed of young people, welcomed
the released prisoners with chants, car horns, and marching in the streets
while carrying Palestinian flags.
Some in the crowd also carried the "Hamas
flag," which controls the besieged Gaza Strip, and chanted slogans in
support of Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for the military wing of Hamas, the Izz
ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Laith Osman (17 years old) said, "The
feeling is indescribable, thanks be to God." He had been detained earlier
this year on suspicion of throwing a Molotov cocktail and was released on
Friday.
Osman, who was carried on someone's shoulder
through the streets, added, "The situation inside (prison) is tough. I
cannot describe how tough it is."
Israeli leaders have pledged to release all
detainees as they prepare to continue the campaign in Gaza.
Approximately 14,000 Palestinians were killed
in the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the ground operation launched last month.
The Israeli military says it is preparing for the next phase of the operation
once the ceasefire ends.
Ismail Shahin, speaking from the Dheisheh
refugee camp in Bethlehem, said he was waiting to see his daughter Fatima, who
was arrested earlier this year on charges of attempting a stabbing attack.
Shahin was injured during his daughter's
arrest. He is a 32-year-old computer expert, while his daughter is five years
old. Shahin said he was shocked when he saw his daughter sitting in a
wheelchair when he was allowed to visit her for the first time in prison after
months of her detention.
Shahin said, "Now the
deal, thank God, the prisoners' exchange deal means we are happy that it is
happening, and we are happy, but it is a simple joy, not exceeding 20 or 30
percent, because of the conditions of our brothers in Gaza, who are in a very
bad situation, where thousands have been martyred."
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