Hundreds of Palestinians cried and chanted with joy in Ramallah as they greeted loved ones freed from Israeli prisons, despite warnings from Israel against celebrating.
Groups of released detainees received an emotional welcome when they arrived in the occupied West Bank city. As buses pulled in, hundreds of Palestinians stepped off to shouts, tears and chants of joy.
Families told The National they had been warned by Israeli authorities not to celebrate publicly, but the scene quickly overflowed with emotion. Mothers and fathers clutched their sons, crying and screaming with relief.
Ahead of their arrival, hundreds of relatives of Palestinian prisoners waited anxiously for their loved ones to be freed. At Ramallah’s Cultural Palace, many families were hesitant to show relief or speak to the media out of fear of being “punished” by Israeli forces, as they had been warned.
“They told us we cannot celebrate, that there’s no need to do anything. That’s OK,” said Riad Emran, whose brother was removed from the list of prisoners to be freed at the last minute. “I’m still hopeful."
Some relatives wept as they waited under the midday sun. The atmosphere was tense – a mix of disbelief and restrained anticipation – as families clutched photos of sons, husbands and brothers they have not seen for months or years.
Ramallah, where detainees were to be reunited with their families, was heavily policed by Palestinian security forces under the watchful eye of Israeli troops stationed nearby. There were no signs of armed factions ahead of the release, which Hamas said would include about 1,900 people, among them women and children detained by Israeli forces in the occupied territories.
Siham, a mother from Tulkarm, said she was shocked to learn her son, imprisoned for 11 months, was on the release list. “I thought it was only for people with long prison terms,” she said. “I was surprised and so happy. I’m still hoping that those who haven’t seen daylight in years will also be freed.”
Israel’s bitterest internal debate centres on the release of 250 so-called “security prisoners”, a term used for people convicted of “terrorism” or related offences. The Israeli far right, a vital part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, has strongly opposed the move.
'Price was too high'
Israel’s security agencies have also determined which prisoners are considered too dangerous to release. Of the roughly 1,900 Palestinians to be freed, the 250 “security prisoners” include many of the most prominent figures, with about 40 expected to remain behind bars.
The issue triggered political drama in Israel, as mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the US held last-minute talks with Israeli officials to secure the release of at least two of six high-profile Palestinians who are still incarcerated. Israel has been adamant about keeping all six in prison.
Among them is Marwan Barghouti, the senior Fatah leader. The others are Abdullah Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat, Ibrahim Hamed, Hassan Salamah and Abbas Al Sayed, all of whom are serving long or life sentences on security-related charges.
Those being freed include detainees from Gaza who were arrested after the outbreak of the war. Most belong to the Fatah and Hamas factions.
“My feelings are overwhelming, and we’re thankful for Gaza’s sacrifice that made this possible,” Siham said quietly, still clutching her son’s photo.
Lubna Farhat, a Ramallah city council member, said the day was both joyful and painful. “The genocide is over and we are very happy – but the price was too high,” she said, referring to the two-year war in Gaza, during which Israel killed more than 67,000 Palestinians. “We feel joy, but also sorrow and a heavy heart because of the sacrifices made in Gaza.”
As 20 Israeli hostages were released discreetly on Monday, journalists allowed into Israeli prisons posted footage showing Palestinian detainees being humiliated as they prepared to see daylight again.
