369 Palestinian Detainees Freed from Israeli Prisons
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Synopsis
On February 15, 2023, Israeli authorities released 369 Palestinian prisoners as part of a prisoner-for-hostage exchange with Hamas. This event marks a significant step in ongoing negotiations and hostilities between the two parties.
Key Takeaways
- 369 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel.
- 36 of the released individuals were serving life sentences.
- The release occurred in the Ramallah Cultural Palace.
- Hamas and Islamic Jihad returned three Israeli hostages.
- Continued negotiations are crucial for future peace efforts.
Ramallah, Feb 15 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Israeli government facilitated the release of 369 Palestinian detainees as part of the sixth phase of the prisoner-for-hostage exchanges involving Israel and Hamas.
According to Abdullah al-Zaghari, the leader of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, among those liberated were 36 individuals serving life sentences along with 333 detainees who had been apprehended from the Gaza Strip following the attack on October 7, 2023.
Reports from Palestinian sources and witnesses indicate that the released individuals were welcomed at the Ramallah Cultural Palace, where family members and representatives from the Red Cross were present.
Prior to the release, Israeli forces reportedly raided Beitunia, a city west of Ramallah, to dissuade Palestinians from gathering near the entrance of Ofer Prison, where the release was taking place.
Earlier that day, Hamas and Islamic Jihad returned three Israeli hostages who had been detained in Gaza, with Israeli authorities confirming their safe arrival in Israel.
The freed hostages included Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, a 29-year-old Israeli-Russian citizen; Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American citizen; and Iair Horn, a 46-year-old Israeli-Argentine citizen. They were taken hostage during the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Troufanov was abducted alongside his mother, grandmother, and partner, with the three women previously released in a hostage exchange in November 2023. Tragically, his father was killed the day of the kidnapping.
Dekel-Chen, who is a father of three, had a daughter born during his captivity. Horn’s brother, Eitan, remains held in Gaza.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office noted, “Our forces’ positioning around the Gaza Strip and the clear stance of US President Donald Trump have compelled Hamas to act, leading to the continuation of hostage releases.”
Trump had cautioned that if “all hostages” in Gaza were not freed by noon on Saturday, the ceasefire would be terminated, and he would “let hell break out.”
As part of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement, which commenced on January 19 and lasts for six weeks, it is anticipated that 33 Israeli hostages will be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians. To date, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thais have been liberated.
