Israel released 90 Palestinian detainees early Monday, hours after three Israeli hostages were returned from Hamas captivity in Gaza. The detainees, primarily women and minors, were freed from Israel's Ofer prison, near the West Bank city of Ramallah. The release was part of an agreement tied to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Large crowds of Palestinians gathered to celebrate the release, while fireworks lit up the night sky. However, the timing of the release in the early hours was seen as an attempt to minimize public celebrations, with the Israeli military cautioning against demonstrations.
Among the freed detainees is Khalida Jarrar, 62, a prominent member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group that has historically engaged in attacks against Israel. Jarrar, arrested in December 2023, had been held under administrative detention, a practice condemned by human rights organizations. Also released was Dalal Khaseeb, sister of slain Hamas official Saleh Arouri, and Abla Abdelrasoul, the wife of PFLP leader Ahmad Saadat.
The swap is part of the first phase of a broader ceasefire deal, which will see Hamas gradually release 33 Israeli hostages over six weeks in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from both the West Bank and Gaza. While the deal has been hailed as a step towards easing tensions, the dynamics remain fragile as both sides navigate the complex negotiations.
