Israel releases 183 Palestinian prisoners in fourth swap deal

Israeli occupation forces on Saturday released the fourth batch of Palestinian detainees from Ofer Prison, comprising 183 prisoners, who arrived in Beitunia, west of Ramallah, as part of a ceasefire agreement.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, the fourth batch under the exchange deal included 18 prisoners serving life sentences, 54 others with long-term and life sentences, and 111 detainees from Gaza who were arrested following the events of  Oct.7, 2023.

Earlier, three buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of a ceasefire deal arrived in the southern Gaza City of Khan Younis, an AFP correspondent reported.

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted after being released by Israel. Reuters

The prisoners, many wearing grey prison uniforms, were greeted by hundreds of Gazans who gathered around the buses as they approached the city’s European Hospital.

The prisoners were to undergo medical checks at the hospital before heading to their homes.

“In blood and spirit, we shall redeem you, prisoner!” chanted some in the crowd as the men left the buses one by one.

Some prisoners stuck their heads out of the windows of the vehicles as they tried to spot relatives or talk to people they knew in the crowd.

A former Palestinian prisoner released by Israel is cheered upon his arrival in Ramallah. AFP

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club in Ramallah, 150 of the 183 detainees released on Saturday as part of the truce between Israel and Hamas were to be transferred to Gaza.

“This is a new day of victory for our people. Today, a new group of our heroes is being released, seeing freedom despite the occupation’s will,” a Hamas official who did not wish to be identified told AFP.

A man jumps to greet a Palestinian prisoner released by Israel as he and others disembark a Red Cross bus after arriving in Ramallah. AFP

“Among those who arrived in Khan Younis were 111 detainees arrested by Israel after Oct.7, 2023, but they have no connection to the Al Aqsa Flood,” the Hamas attack on Oct.7, 2023, he said.

The prisoners were released in exchange for three Israeli hostages freed earlier on Saturday by Hamas, including two who were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis. The buses brought the prisoners to the Palestinian territory through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

A Palestinian prisoner released by Israel is greeted by his mother upon his arrival in Ramallah. AFP