[News] 200 Palestinian prisoners freed in defiance of Israeli intransigence

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/200-palestinian-prisoners-freed-in-defiance-of-israeli-intra>
200 Palestinian prisoners freed in defiance of Israeli intransigence
Al Mayadeen English
January 25, 2025
------------------------------

The Israeli Prison Service has announced the release of 200 Palestinian
prisoners and detainees in the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal
with the Palestinian Resistance.
[image: ae57c11d-e26f-417c-8747-010a97c26944.jpg]

   - Former Palestinian prisoners released by "Israel" gesture as they ride
   in one of the buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
   as it moves in the town of Beitunia near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank
   on January 25, 2025. (*AFP*)

200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released today, Saturday, in
the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal, the Israeli Prison Service
announced.

According to the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission and the
Palestinian Prisoners Society, the second batch comprised 200 Palestinian
prisoners and detainees with life sentences and long prison terms.

Three buses carrying the Palestinian prisoners and detainees liberated by
the Resistance arrived in the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, where a
huge public reception was held for them.

Among the freed prisoners was Mohammad al-Arida, one of the heroes of
Operation Freedom Tunnel, as well as Iyad Jaradat who took part in the
operation.

The longest-serving among the Jenin prisoners, Raed al-Saadi, who spent 36
years in the occupation prisons as part of his term of two life sentences
and 20 years, and Thabet al-Mardawi, who was accused of digging a tunnel in
the Shatta prison and attempting to break out, were also released.

Today's exchange also saw the release of prisoner Houssam Abed, who was
serving three life sentences and 55 and a half years.

Meanwhile, crowds in Ramallah carried the freed prisoners on their
shoulders and waved the victory sign, while the prisoners and detainees
thanked the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, which was the reason behind
their release.
Gaza receives 16 released detainees

In conjunction with the arrival of the buses of the released prisoners and
detainees to the West Bank, 16 arrived at the Gaza
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/gaza-residents--return-tied-to-arbel-yehoud-release--pmo>
European Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip,
where crowds of people gathered to receive them and chanted for the
Resistance.

Upon seeing this,* Al Mayadeen*'s correspondent in Gaza said, "For the
first time since October 7 in the Strip, we hear the sounds of ululations
upon the return of the released detainees."

Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees set to be
deported outside Palestine arrived at the Rafah crossing on their way to
Egypt.

Two buses entered Egyptian territory carrying 70 Palestinian prisoners with
life sentences after their release.

Earlier, a senior Palestinian official informed *Al Mayadeen* that Algeria,
Tunisia, and Turkiye are ready to receive Palestinian detainees who were
released on the condition of deportation outside Palestine, however, they
must first travel to Egypt.

According to *Reuters*, citing Palestinian officials, around 70 have been
deported to Egypt, another 16 were sent to Gaza, while the remaining
detainees will be released to the occupied West Bank.
Gaza; a model for global liberation

A number of released prisoners and detainees saluted the people of Gaza and
its Resistance; as were it not for their sacrifices, they would not have
seen the light of freedom.

One released detainee told *Al Mayadeen*, "We thank Gaza and its people...
you have fulfilled your pledge."

Another detainee said, "We thank the people of Gaza. Our freedom is thanks
to the Resistance that we must preserve.”

“We must remain united,” he asserted.

Another said, "A salute to our people in Gaza who have made great
sacrifices."

On his part, liberated detainee Wael al-Jaghoub told *Al Mayadeen*, "Our
freedom is one step closer to the freedom of our people and the whole of
Palestine," asserting that this freedom is due to the legendary
steadfastness of Gaza.

He added, "We bow before Gaza, which is a model for global liberation and
to every Palestinian who belongs to it."

Reflecting on the situation of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in
Israeli prisons, al-Jaghoub said, "What is happening inside the prisons is
a full-fledged war crime comprising starvation, torture, assaults, and
medical neglect." He also pointed out that "the occupation prevents any
news from reaching the prisoners and keeps them completely isolated from
the outside world."

One of the released prisoners said that upon his release, "a Shin Bet
official told me, 'We are still here,' so I told him, ‘So are we.'"

The released prisoners and detainees stressed that they stand by the
Resistance, vowing that it will not be broken and that Gaza will continue
to stand strong against any aggression.

“It is either death or victory for us," they maintained, thanking the
al-Qassam Brigades, the al-Quds Brigades, and all the Resistance factions
who will remain steadfast on the ground
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-says-to-release-four-captured-israeli-soldiers>
and will eventually liberate all the prisoners and detainees.

The release of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees comes after Hamas
released four female soldiers
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-releases-4-israeli-soldiers-in-ceasefire-handover-to-r>
and handed them over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in
Palestine Square in Gaza City.

*Read more: Most Israelis support full implementation of Gaza ceasefire
deal
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/most-israelis-support-full-implementation-of-gaza-ceasefire>*
[image: ae57c11d-e26f-417c-8747-010a97c26944.jpg]
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