Israel has commenced the release of Palestinian prisoners following the return of the remaining living Israeli hostages from Gaza, marking a significant step in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Television footage on Monday showed buses carrying released detainees leaving Ofer Prison in the West Bank near Jerusalem and heading toward Ramallah.
According to the terms of the deal, Israel is expected to release about 1,700 Palestinians who have been detained since October 7, 2023, along with an additional 250 prisoners, some of whom were serving life sentences. The mass release comes after months of negotiations mediated by international partners aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in Gaza.
Reports revealed that Israeli security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds gathered near Ofer Prison, including journalists, as the prisoners were transported out. Authorities had earlier warned that public celebrations by released detainees or their supporters would not be permitted for security reasons.
Earlier in the day, Hamas handed over the last 20 living Israeli hostages to officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The hostages, who had spent 738 days in captivity, were later transported to Israel under heavy military escort. Their release officially concludes the long-running hostage crisis that began during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The 20 freed hostages were among 251 people abducted by Hamas during the assault, which left approximately 1,200 people dead in Israel and sparked the devastating Gaza war. The development has been met with relief across Israel, though tensions remain high in the region amid uncertainty about the ceasefire’s long-term stability.
Analysts say the latest prisoner release could ease tensions between Israel and Palestine if both sides adhere to the ceasefire terms. However, international observers warn that mistrust and sporadic violence could still threaten the fragile peace that is beginning to emerge after two years of bloodshed.
