90 Palestinians Released as Gaza Truce Offers Momentary Respite
Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, coinciding with the first day of a ceasefire in Gaza. The agreement, which temporarily halts a 15-month conflict, saw three Israeli hostages also freed by Hamas.
Celebrations erupted in Ramallah as buses carrying the released prisoners arrived to a hero’s welcome. Among the freed were 69 women and 21 teenage boys, primarily from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Fireworks lit up the night sky as thousands gathered to greet their loved ones.
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The truce, brokered as part of a six-week agreement, promises the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli and foreign hostages. The ceasefire also aims to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries to the devastated Gaza Strip, where over 47,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
In Tel Aviv, emotions ran high as hundreds celebrated the safe return of hostages Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, who were reunited with their families at Sheba Medical Center. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed their release, calling it a moment of national unity.
The ceasefire, however, remains fragile. Delays in the prisoner and hostage exchange led to last-minute violence, with 13 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes. Both sides accused each other of stalling the process.
