Ramallah, West Bank – A wave of relief and celebration swept through the streets of Ramallah on Saturday as 183 Palestinian detainees were released as part of the fourth round of prisoner exchange under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. In return, Hamas freed three Israeli hostages, marking another milestone in ongoing negotiations.
Three Israeli Hostages Released
According to both Hamas and Israeli authorities, the three released hostages are Yarden Bibas (35), Keith Siegel (65), a U.S.-Israeli citizen, and Ofer Calderon (54), a French-Israeli national. They had been taken captive during Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hamas handed over the hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) before they were transferred back to Israel. Israeli military sources confirmed their return. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group, welcomed the release, calling it “a ray of light in the darkness.”
Ofer Calderon’s uncle, Shemi, told AFP he was emotional, saying, “We have been waiting for this moment for so long.”
Mass Celebrations in Ramallah and Gaza
As buses carrying Palestinian detainees arrived in Ramallah from Israel’s Ofer Prison, large crowds erupted in cheers, welcoming them back home. Another group of detainees was transported to Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, where similar celebrations took place. Many of the freed prisoners were seen wearing gray uniforms, marking their time in Israeli custody.
Of the 183 Palestinian detainees released in this latest exchange, 72 had been convicted by Israeli courts, including 14 sentenced to life imprisonment. Another 111 had been held under administrative detention without trial.
According to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked, as of last month, Israeli prisons held 10,221 Palestinian detainees. Under the current truce agreement, a total of 33 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released.
Rafah Border Crossing Reopens for Medical Evacuations
In a significant development, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was reopened for the first time since May last year. Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed that 50 Palestinian patients have been allowed to leave for urgent medical treatment in Egypt.
Egyptian state media reported that the first evacuee was a child in critical condition. Dr. Mohammad Zakout, director of Gaza hospitals, expressed hope that more patients would be transferred soon. Nearly 12,000 people require urgent medical care, and 6,000 are prepared for immediate evacuation.
Next Phase of Ceasefire Talks Set to Begin
The ongoing ceasefire, currently set for 42 days, is expected to see further releases. Hamas has committed to freeing 33 more Israeli hostages, while Israel is set to release 1,900 Palestinian detainees.
Negotiations for a second phase of the truce are set to begin on Monday. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will lead mediation efforts. This phase will focus on securing the release of the remaining hostages and discussing a potential long-term ceasefire.
Netanyahu to Meet Biden at the White House
Amid the unfolding ceasefire developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington on Tuesday for a high-level meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Biden, who has played a key role in brokering the current truce, has claimed credit for the progress made so far.
Last week, Biden proposed the relocation of Gaza’s civilian population to other countries, urging Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinian refugees. However, this suggestion was met with swift rejection from Arab leaders.
Arab Leaders Reject U.S. Proposal to Relocate Palestinians
In a joint statement issued after a meeting in Cairo, foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and the Palestinian Authority firmly opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
“Any attempt to remove Palestinians from their land will destabilize the region, escalate conflicts, and destroy hopes for peace,” the statement read.
As the ceasefire continues to hold, all eyes are on the upcoming negotiations and the broader implications of this fragile truce. Whether this will lead to a lasting resolution or merely a temporary pause in hostilities remains uncertain.
