Prisoner Exchange

Metascholar News Portal
International News
February 22, 2025
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5 minutes Read

Hamas to Free Six Captives in Gaza After Bibas Mother’s Remains Are Recovered

Avera Mengistu, who crossed into Gaza nearly ten years ago and has been detained there since, along with Tal Shoham, a hostage captured in Gaza during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack, have been freed as part of a ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, on February 22, 2025. Hamas released two hostages and planned to free four more from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This came after Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier that day belonged to hostage Shiri Bibas. Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were transferred to the Red Cross in Rafah, southern Gaza, after being escorted onto a stage by armed Hamas militants. The release of four additional hostages was expected to take place soon after in central Gaza. The six hostages set to be freed on Saturday are the final living captives from a group of 33 scheduled for release in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on January 19. Four of the hostages Shoham, Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23 were taken by Hamas militants during their assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Shoham was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, along with his wife and two children, who were released during a brief truce in November 2023. The other three were seized from the nearby Nova music festival. Two others, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, and Mengistu, have been detained by Hamas since they voluntarily entered Gaza about a decade ago. Hundreds of Israelis gathered in the rain at what is now known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, cheering as they watched the release unfold on a large screen. Further south, crowds lined the roads near the Gaza border, waiting to welcome the convoy transporting the freed captives. The Hamas-led releases have involved public ceremonies where captives are taken on stage, with some required to speak. These events have drawn growing criticism, including from the United Nations, which condemned the “parading of hostages.” Hamas dismissed the criticism on Saturday, framing the ceremonies as a solemn display of Palestinian unity. In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from its custody as part of the latest phase of the ceasefire agreement. Among them are 445 Gazans arrested by Israeli forces during the war, along with numerous convicts serving…

Metascholar News Portal
Continent
January 31, 2025
190 views
3 minutes Read

Israel to Release 110 Palestinian Prisoners in New Gaza Ceasefire Deal

In the third phase of a ceasefire and captive exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, 110 Palestinian prisoners are set to be released today from Israeli prisons, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. This release marks a continuation of efforts to de-escalate tensions and foster negotiations between the two parties. Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian factions will free eight captives, including five Thai nationals and three Israelis. The freed Palestinians are expected to arrive at the Radana area in Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank, around noon local time (10:00 GMT). However, 20 of the released prisoners will face exile outside Palestine. Among those being released are at least 30 children, as listed in a document published by the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. One of the most prominent figures among the released prisoners is Zakaria Zubeidi, a 49-year-old former resistance fighter and theatre director. Zubeidi once led the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, affiliated with the Fatah political party, and was a notable figure during the uprisings against Israeli occupation from 2000 to 2005. Arrested again in 2019, Zubeidi became widely recognized after his dramatic escape from a high-security Israeli prison in 2021. Along with five others, he tunneled out, an act that cemented his status as a folk hero among Palestinians. Although recaptured, Zubeidi’s reputation remains iconic, particularly for his establishment of The Freedom Theatre in the Jenin refugee camp. This cultural institution promotes nonviolent resistance through the arts, providing an outlet for Palestinians living under occupation. The Jenin refugee camp, a hub of Palestinian resistance, has faced ongoing military operations by Israeli forces. Over the past two weeks, these raids have resulted in the deaths of at least 16 Palestinians and injuries to dozens more. Israel’s military claims to have killed 18 Palestinians and arrested 60 others in Jenin and Tulkarem as part of broader operations in the occupied territories. The release of these 110 prisoners will bring the total number of Palestinians freed under the current ceasefire agreement to 400. Despite this, arrests in the West Bank have continued, with Israeli forces detaining additional Palestinians, including 12 in East Jerusalem for alleged violations of public order during previous prisoner releases. As of now, more than 10,400 Palestinians remain in Israeli custody, including 3,300 held in administrative detention without formal charges or trials. Advocacy groups have raised concerns over the treatment of detainees, particularly those from Gaza who have been reportedly subjected to severe torture. Health professionals like Dr.…