Jubilation has swept through numerous cities in the West Bank as Israel released 39 Palestinian women and children from its jails. The released group includes at least 24 women and children, along with convicted prisoners previously jailed for attempted murder and teenagers imprisoned for offenses such as stone-throwing.
The Guardian UK reported that some of the released detainees may not have seen their families for many years. Ahead of their release, Israeli police reportedly raided the homes of three prisoners’ families in Jerusalem, according to witnesses.
In Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces confirmed that Israeli hostages, freed from Gaza, had undergone medical checks and were now in Israel. The released hostages, including four German-Israeli dual nationals, underwent an initial medical assessment within Israeli territory and will be reunited with their families after further checks at Israeli hospitals.
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, in a news conference, stated that the 13 Israeli hostages, captured during cross-border raids by Palestinian militants, are in good condition. The group includes four children and six elderly women.
This release is part of a temporary truce agreed upon by both parties in the conflict-ravaged Gaza. Under the deal, Israel is set to free three times as many Palestinian prisoners, including women and teenage boys, with 50 hostages expected to be released during the four-day truce. In return, 150 Palestinian prisoners are anticipated to be released.
US President Joe Biden emphasized the critical opportunity presented by the pause in fighting to deliver essential supplies to Gaza, including food, medicine, water, and fuel. He noted the concerted effort to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid in coordination with the UN and the Red Cross, highlighting the arrival of over 200 trucks carrying essential supplies at the crossing point in Egypt into Gaza on Friday.