Who Are the 369 Palestinian Prisoners Israel Just Released?
Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Saturday as part of a hostage exchange with Hamas, marking the largest single-day release since the deal began. The swap, which secured the release of Israeli hostages Sasha Troufanov, Iair Horn, and Sagui Dekel-Chen, took place as a fragile ceasefire remained in effect.
The freed Palestinian prisoners were released in white sweatshirts featuring a Star of David and the phrase “Never forgive, never forget” in Arabic. To many observers, it was clear that this move was meant to evoke the propaganda ceremonies in which the released Israeli hostages have been made to take part upon their release. Some released prisoners burned the garments upon arrival in Gaza. Hamas, which has dressed returning hostages in garb meant to evoke military uniforms and forced returning hostages to make speeches in front of Palestinian flags and anti-Israel posters, condemned the move, calling it a “blatant violation of humanitarian laws.”
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Among those freed, 36 had been serving life sentences for attacks that killed Israelis. While 12 were allowed to return home to the West Bank and east Jerusalem, 24 were sent to neighboring countries. Many of the released prisoners were met by large crowds, with some transported directly to hospitals for medical care.
The prisoner release included high-profile figures, such as Ahmed Barghouti, a Fatah member convicted of orchestrating attacks during the second intifada, and Iyad Abu Shakhdam, who played a role in the 2004 Be’er Sheva bus bombings that killed 16 Israelis. Also freed was Zakaria Zubeidi, a former Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade leader known for escaping an Israeli prison in 2021.
Israel has committed to releasing over 1,000 Palestinian detainees from Gaza who were arrested after Hamas’ October 7 attacks, provided they were not directly involved in the assault, in return for 33 hostages held in Gaza.
